On January 30, 1931, Robert Fields was born in Sunflower, AL to Benjamin Franklin Fields, Jr. and Thelma Belton Fields, the sixth of ten children. He is survived by his daughter Angela D. Fields; sons Robert H. Fields, Gow B. Fields (Kay) and Alexander Williams; bonus daughter (very close niece), Robin (Willie) Parker; sister Maureen Fields Beard; brothers James Fields (Shirley) and Leo Fields (Lottie); ten grandchildren and twenty-seven great grandchildren; bonus daughters and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close relatives of both his and his wife's family, all of whom he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by his wife of over 55 years Naydene Stevens Fields; his father, Benjamin Franklin Fields, Jr.; his mother, Thelma Belton Fields; his sisters, Julia Fields Owens and Ella Mae Fields Bettis; and brothers, Irvin Fields, Benjamin B. Fields, Joseph S. Fields and Norman Fields.

He began his elementary education at The Fields School in Sunflower, AL and later graduated from McIntosh Consolidated High School in 1949. He enrolled at Tuskegee Institute and its Army ROTC program. Upon graduation from Tuskegee he attempted to enlist in the U. S. Army. He did not pass the physical due to a childhood back injury. He then went on to accept employment at Rochelle High School and began his teaching career in the fall of 1955. After teaching one year at Rochelle he was drafted into the United States Army. He served in the Army for two years and returned to teaching at Rochelle High School. After Rochelle was phased out as a high school he taught at Lakeland Jr. High School and was among the initial teachers to teach at Seth McKeel Jr. High School. He completed his 40 years of teaching in the Polk County Schools in 1997 with the last two years at Travis Vocational Technical Center.

He coached Little League baseball and T-Ball during his sons youth. He was also a board member and a long time volunteer in Lakeland Volunteers Youth football organization. He also served in a variety of capacities for the City of Lakeland including the Planning and Zoning Board, Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Affordable Housing Review Committee and the Local Housing Assistance Partnership Task Force. He was a board member of the Retired Teachers Association while also serving many years as the treasurer. He was an avid supporter of Kathleen High School serving as a member of the Booster Club and would often be seen assisting with reserved parking during home sporting events.

He was noted for his long-standing, faithful and dedicated service as a Deacon and Trustee at First Baptist Institutional Church since 1955. In 2019 Rev. Harper, in concert with the church Deacons made Robert Fields Deacon Emeritus and designated the third Sunday of each December to be celebrated as "Deacon Robert Fields" Day to celebrate his untiring, faithful and diligent service to the Lord and to First Baptist Institutional Church.

United States Veteran Deacon Fields of Lakeland transitioned Wednesday, December 20, 2023. A visitation will be held Friday, January 5, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. with the Celebration of Life to follow. Interment will be held following the Celebration of Life at Serenity Gardens - 3350 Mall Hill Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33810 will full Military Honors. All services will be held First Baptist Institutional Church - 932 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33805.

Interment: Serenity Gardens