Daniel F. Field
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Death separates us, but it also brings us together. In his lifetime, Dan Field brought together many people. As a father, he was a loving, strong influence on his children Noel and Erin Field, Tim and David Pletke. As a husband, he was a loving companion to Paulette for almost 20 years and Catherine Field prior to that. Through his distinguished 37-year career with Johnson County Parks and Recreation, culminated by 13 years as Chief of Park Police, he touched dozens of lives with unreserved compassion. His career was motivated by his desire to “take care of people.” Not only did he lead, serve, and protect with distinction, he was a teacher at heart. Every fall, Dan performed as Jacque in Heritage History Lab, a program he was proud to have created. Among his many awards, he received Distinguished Interpreter Award from the National Association of Interpretation. He held a Master of Public Administration and was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Family meant everything to him. He was unflinchingly loyal to his siblings Margie Smallfield, Catherine Williams, and David Field (brother and fishing partner). He adored his grandchildren Aidan, James, Linelena, and Brenden. On September 3, Dan died of a hemorrhagic stroke. He was 68 years old. A celebration of his life will be announced shortly. Please look forward to remembering a great friend, a great man. He will be missed.
Visits: 13
Paulette and family, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I’m praying for your broken hearts, and I know that his legacy of love and loyalty will live on through you. My heart is with you.
Paulette and family, our hearts reach out to you at this time. We had the honor of meeting Dan in Chicago and his devotion & love was very apparent. He was so easy-going. He left a great impression on the Pletke Clan. I know you wrote his obit, Paulette. Beautiful and honorable, as always. He lived a noble life.
Paulette & Family,
We are truly sorry to hear of your loss. Dan left a memorable impression on all of us. We are thinking of you and sending our Love.
Eternal Rest, Grant Unto him, O Lord. May the Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him. Amen. I had not seen Dan since the Police Academy, in 1981.
Paulette and family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Dan made the people around him better by genuinely caring about them and using his knowledge, skills and intellect to their betterment. I was blessed to have worked so closely with him for so many years. God rest his soul.
I’m so sorry to hear of Dan’s unexpected death. He was a good man and someone I’m happy to have had the pleasure of knowing through the Johnson County Police and Sheriff’s Association. Please accept my condolences on your loss.
May Dan Rest In Peace. My deepest sympathies to the entire Field family.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. My condolences to the family.
I knew Dan for nearly 30 years. He was highly respected by those who knew him. He will be greatly missed by all of us. Praying that you find comfort and healing in the wonderful memories you have of him.
Paulette and Family.
Dan was my mentor in law enforcement and interpretation for nearly 35 years. All that I accomplished as a Park Police officer is a direct reflection of how Dan influenced my career.
Paulette you and your family are in my prayers.
I am so sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. He was a good officer, a good friend, and a good man. My condolences to his family.
We at the Johnson County Park & Recreation District feel honored and blessed that Dan chose to spend 37 years of his life with us. His love for JCPRD and his passion for public service showed in the work he did every day, and it was contagious. He made us better as an organization, and as individuals. He was indeed a good man. Paulette, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Paulette and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Dan was a great man, a true friend, and mentor to many. I will forever cherish the stories he shared with me and the friendship we developed. He will be forever missed but never forgotten. My sincere condolences.
I am beyond words… met Dan in highschool… shared an apartment with him and three others in college years… stayed connected through facebook and mutual friends forever! Rest In Peace…
Paulette and Family,
I had the honor to serve with Dan for many years. Dan was an asset to all law enforcement in Johnson County and the whole metro area. I will miss him for his honest, transparent leadership he was a class act. I pray that God may comfort you and your family during this difficult time.
I am sorry to learn of Dan’s passing. May the Good Lord hold the family tight.
We shared some great times with Dan and Paulette. We are so, so sorry for his passing yet we know he is not suffering and leaves the world a better place.
I met Dan when I was the Ottawa Police Chief (KS) and always appreciated his friendliness and gentle demeanor. I know others knew Dan much better than I and hope that their good memories of Dan make the sorrow of his sudden loss easier to bear. May God bless his family and friends in the days and months ahead.
It was my honor to work with Dan and interact with him in various law enforcement venues. Dan was definitely one of the good guys. He was always fair, clear thinking, and looking out for law enforcement as a whole. He was never one to seek the spotlight or flaunt himself, which is rare in law enforcement leadership these days. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family today and in the future.
Dan was an inspiration to those around him, both in law enforcement and when presenting interpretive programs to school groups. The world has lost someone who directly affected hundreds of thousands of lives in his professional career as a result of just those two avenues. While the legacy of the programs he helped to start will live on, there will be an emptiness which is only dulled by time, and never filled.
I had the honor of working with Dan for 30 years, he was a mentor and a friend. I learned a lot from Dan through the years. He always pushed you to do better and was always there for you. We will miss him.
Dan my brother, friend, and fishing partner. I will miss you greatly, love you forever RIP.
I was privileged enough to teach a class at JCPRD with Dan. While I was far less accomplished than he, you would never know it by the respect and class he displayed while working with me. It was my honor to work side by side with a true leader. I will cherish that time I spent with him forever. I’m deeply sorry to Dan’s family for this loss; please know that we are praying for you.
Paulette and Family,
Dan was one of the finest men I have ever had the privilege of being able to call a friend and Dan was a true friend. Dan made me a better officer, a better father, a better husband, and a better man. How can one ever thank a person for those gifts. Dan had a knack to make things better all around him. I will miss him immensely but my memories will live on forever. You all will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks to all of you for sharing Dan with us
After joining JCPRD in late 2018, I was fortunate to work on a number of capital building projects with Dan’s input, prior to his retirement. Within that short period, Dan exhibited admirable actions of unwavering confidence as chief of park police, patient yet direct in his guidance, and humble in his accomplishments.
Paulette,
I am so sorry for your loss. While I know we haven’t dined out together in a while, Marianne and I always enjoyed our “foodie” outings with you and Dan. As a colleague, Dan was knowledgeable, respectful and direct. You always knew where you stood with him, and to have his respect was something all of us who were lucky enough to know and work with him strove to attain. I’m sure he’s enjoying a Manhattan or two in heaven. I know I’ll be raising a toast to him this weekend in gratitude for his friendship and genuineness as a human being.
My sincerest condolences to you and your family. Dan will be greatly missed.
Dan left so many lasting legacies at JCPRD. He will not be forgotten. Paulette, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time and in the days ahead. God speed, Dan. RIP.
Paulette and family,
As a Board Member, I had the honor to work with Dan at JCPRD for 20 years. I am a huge fan of Dan and am heartbroken with his passing. Please know he was respected by all who knew him. He left a rich legacy at JCPRD. My heart goes out to you and yours.
Paulette and family, prayers and thoughts are with you. I have enjoyed working with Dan over the past 30± years. He was a mentor and friend. He will be missed by all.
Sending my sympathy to all of Dan’s family and friends. It was my honor to know Dan as a Johnson County colleague. He was a great role model for many.
Dan thanks for helping me with the start of my career. You always made sure someone was there to help in the interpretive portion of our job. You always motivated me to create more programs and stores! Because of you I found a portion of my career that will always bring others as well as myself joy!
Thanks
Forty-three years of St. Patrick’s Day Parades. The day will never be the same. Rest in peace my friend.
During most of the period I was on the Johnson County Parks and Recreation District Board, Dan Field was the Chief of Police, a position in which he served in for 13 years – out of a total of 37 years of service to the district. A great man with a great family and a spirit of dedicated service, it was an incredible honor to know him. RIP Dan, you will be missed by all.
Paulette,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I will never forget the many years that Dan and I worked together.
May the pain you feel now be nothing compared to the joy found within the memories you had with Dan.
Paulette & Family,
I remember Dan as always so passionate about his family and work. Working with him for 22 years left me with many good memories and it saddens me that his retirement was cut so short. His love for you Paulette was truly his pride and joy and I am hoping you can find some comfort in knowing the memories you shared are forever. Dan will truly be missed.
I met Dan while we were in graduate school together. He was so kind, smart and helpful. Sending deepest condolences to his family.
Dan was a great law enforcement officer and more importantly a great man. He will be missed.
I have worked with Dan for many years as a member of the Board of JCPRD. He was always even keel and thoughtful in is words and actions. I am sorry for your loss. Dan will be missed.
Stunned and heartbroken for Paulette and family, holding you close in the prayerful assurance of God’s mercy compassion and peace
Paulette, I’m sending you so much light and love.
In my 30+ years in Law enforcement, Dan played a huge role in developing my career as both, a mentor and a friend. His loss is a huge impact on the community. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Paulette, I’m so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and wishing you comfort in the thoughts of the time and love you shared.
Paulette and family, I am so sorry for your loss of this great man. Dan was truly one of my most favorite people on the planet! Today I walked along Little Cedar Creek, on the trails Dan walked so many times as Jacque the French fur trapper. I adored working with Dan. I loved his wit and he could make me laugh. He was a talented performer and simply brilliant in the art of interpretation. I am forever grateful he took a chance on me and helped hire and train me to work at the nature center. Dan’s passing is such a great loss. His passion for life will always be remembered. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Field Family,
I only knew Dan through the Prairie Village Barbershop shp. We always competed to be first on Saturday mornings getting our haircuts with Windy at the Barbershop! Dan normally was always first, but one day I actually was first because Dan stopped to get a morning paper! From that point forward, Dan would show up an hour and fifteen minutes before the shop opened. We had a great time and laughed a lot over this ridiculous competition. I am shocked with Dan’s passing, please know I send my condolences and am so sorry for your loss. Dan will be missed by the barbershop gang, we all enjoyed and appreciated his friendship. With deepest sympathy, David Francis
Field Family,
We at P.V. Barbershop are so sorry for your loss. His passing is a shock to us all. Dan will be greatly missed in more ways than one. As a friend, and a client there was none better. He always brought sunshine and laughter to the shop with him on Saturday mornings. His friendship was very special to me.
He may be gone but he will never be forgotten. Our prayers are with you and your family.
With deepest sympathy, Windy Gifford and the barbershop gang
Paulette and Family,
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Dan’s sudden passing. It was an honor and a pleasure to work with him during my time with JCPRD. He always seemed to be in a good mood and brought cheer to all around him through his words and actions. I can count on my fingers the people who have had a positive impact on both my career and my personal philosophy on life, and Dan is one of those people. He will be fondly remembered. My deepest sympathy goes out to you.
Dan was a great guy. I so enjoyed the runaways with Paulette, Dan, Carol, Don and Greg. We were almost blown away in Florida and cooked to medium well in Albuquerque. Lots of laughter.
Dan was my best man at our wedding, and best friend forever through high school and college, Joan and I will miss him forevermore. So shocked and saddened by his passing. As I believe in the God of all creation, my friend I know we shall meet again on the other shore. May the peace beyond all human understanding comfort and surround you, Paulette, Margie, Cathy, David, and your children and extended family at this time. Dan you are the Man. I love you brother.
Dan you came in my life during the odd spells boys go through. I was around 14 and you intimidated me. Hard to think about now but you did. I was obsessed with the Marines Corps and when I found your father served and the way you carried yourself I was hooked. Always asking for stories. I wanted to be that. So Feb 01 I joined the Marines. The world changed later that year and I was scared since I joined the infantry. I remember you made me get up early and go fishing (which I hate) but I remember you speaking to me man to man. You got me mentally prepared for my deployment. The main thing I took away was they were humans too and things will get chaotic but you do what you need to do to keep your corps values in check and come home safe and be able to accept yourself. Best advice I’ve received. I love you Dan
I honestly heard this every Sunday since the DT58 and Neil Smith days.
“THEY CAN’T GET TO THE QUARTERBACK. NO PRESSURE!!!!! NO PRESSURE!!!!”
Paulette, I just heard today the news about Dan. My heart breaks for you and I am so, so sorry for your loss. Keeping you and family in prayer.
My sincere condolences to Paulette and the entire family. We were devastated to learn of Dan’s loss and grieve with you. I feel gratitude for having the opportunity to work with Dan at JCPRD. What an incredible legacy he left that embodied public service in every aspect of his work. We will forever be grateful for the mark he left on our community. It was also clear that he loved his family dearly. Best wishes as you gather to celebrate this beautiful life of service.
Dear Paulette and loved ones,
I just learned about your loss. I’m grateful to read these tributes and learn a little more about your husband, brother, and father. I know he had a lot to do with taking care of the park that our family loves. Paulette, I’m so sorry for the sadness you’re going through. I enjoyed hearing stories about your travels with Dan, and I appreciate that you shared them with me. Wishing you love and peace.
I was Dan’s best friend at Sacred Heart University. I haven’t seen Dan since 1971. I’m shocked and saddened. I always wanted to talk to him and reminisce about old times. My condolences to his family and especially his sister Margie.