Richard “Rick” Fields, age 81, of Somerset, Kentucky, passed from this life on Monday, December 8, 2025 at his home.
Rick was born on November 20, 1944 to the late Bruce Fields and Mildred Edgile Coleman in Fairmont, West Virginia.
He was a member of Saint Patrick’s Episcopal Church. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1968. He piloted C-130’s in the Vietnam War and often hauled dignitaries and equipment all over the world. After his military career, he worked at Ford Motor Company as a design engineer, then Kingsford Charcoal, in Elkins, WV as a plant engineer, and retired from Southern Belle Dairy as a HR manager in Somerset, KY. Rick enjoyed making stained glass and always had a project to work on. He was a talented builder and loved tinkering in his workshop. He enjoyed traveling and camping with his wife and continued doing so after her passing.
Along with his parents, Rick was preceded in death by his wife, Cindy Fields, son Scott Fields, brother David Fields, sister Margaret Hrbek, and his fur baby “Cheerio”.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his son Michael Fields (Cindy) of Olive Branch, MS; daughter Kim Thayer (Michael) Renfro of Somerset, Ky; brother Jim Fields (Dee) of Myrtle Beach, SC; sister Judith Riggins (Bill) of Durham, NC; grandchildren: Bryce Fields, Shelbi Fields, Jacob Thayer, and Eli Thayer.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025 from 1pm-2pm at Saint Patrick’s Episcopal Church with a memorial service to begin at 2pm with Mother Chris Bannock officiating. Saint Patrick’s will be live streaming the service on YouTube at: stpatsomerset.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to be made to: AMVET C/O Denver Adams at: 444 Enterprise Drive Somerset, Ky 42503 or donate to: Help the Homeless 408 Bogle Street Somerset, Ky 42503.
Southern Oaks Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Richard “Rick” Fields.