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Thomas Fields Obituary
Born: Oct. 23, 1930; In Kearny, NJ
Died: June 28, 2014
Thomas Henry Fields of Downers Grove, Illinois, passed away June 28, 2014, at the age of 83 after living with prostate cancer for 21 years. Tom was born in Kearny, NJ, on October 23, 1930, to Rueben and Anna May Fields.
He studied physics at Carnegie-Mellon University, where he received his BS in 1951, and his PhD in 1955. He became a professor at Northwestern University in 1961, before being appointed as the director of the high energy physics division at Argonne National Laboratory in 1965. An expert in particle detection methods, he led the Advanced Photon Source project at Argonne in 1986-87, and the NuMI/MINOS neutrino oscillation project at Fermilab from 1998-1999. This work, and sabbaticals in Birmingham (UK) and at CERN in Geneva, left him with friends and colleagues around the globe.
A devoted husband and father, Tom is survived by his wife of 20 years, Helene Block Fields; his daughter Caroline (Kevin) Flanigan of Columbus, OH; his son Gregory (Sasha) Fields of Downers Grove; and Elizabeth (Keith) Robinson of York, ME.
He was a loving husband to his late wives Karin (Rasch) and Mary (King), loving father to his late son Timothy, and loving grandfather to his grandchildren.
The service will be private. The family requests that donations in Tom's memory may be made to the charity of one's choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Fields
Jemi Broussard
December 29, 2023
Just found a letter from Tom Fields among my mother´s possessions and am wondering about making a family connection. My Mom was Karin Rasch´s cousin, I believe. Her name was Sally Humphreys from Concord NH.
Jemi [email protected]
July 12, 2014
Dear Helene and Family, It is with great sadness that I heard about your loss. I know that the many memories of good times together don't always comfort at this moment but will over time. I send you my prayers for ease in the pain of loss. Love, to all, Connie Porteous
Friend of Helene's from Oakton Community College
July 10, 2014
The Fields Family,
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Tom. What a gentleman
and fine human being he was. May cherished memories of life with
Tom as husband, father, grandfather fill the void that you all must
now feel. Our deepest sympathy.
Anita and Paul Jencks
Esther Tarkieltaub
July 6, 2014
Dear Helene and family,
You were really blessed. Tom was a genuine, gentle human being who loved all of you in his quiet unassuming way. He always had something good to say and when speaking to him, he showed real interest in us,
He will be missed but his memories live through all of you.
Helene, take care and let everyone pamper you now. I will come and visit perhaps with Marcia and get to spend some time with you. I treasure our visit this past fall.
All my love and best regards from my family,
Cousin Esther
How you can show support
July 4, 2014
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. May you find comfort and peace in the memories you have shared throughout the years.
Our prayers are with you,
Joe and Audrey Meyers
July 3, 2014
Caroline and family,
My deepest condolences on the loss of your father. I know he was a guiding presence in all of your lives and will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Sandra
Patricia Mouw
July 3, 2014
How sad I was to hear of Tom's death. As a cousin, I was happy to reconnect with him & realize how important family was to him. Thank you Tom & Helene for welcoming me into the fold.
Nicole Block
July 2, 2014
Papa Tom was such a wonderful man! We loved him very much and have such fond memories of him. We will miss him dearly! Love, the Block family
From the Staff of Toon Funeral Home
July 1, 2014
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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