Marshall Weir Field

After high school, Marshall went to San Diego, CA to work in an aircraft factory building the B-24 bombers. After Pearl Harbor, Marshall joined the Army Air Corp and went into the pilot program. He ended up flying the B-24 bombers that he helped build right out of high school. On his 8th mission, flying out of England and making a bombing run over northern France, his plane was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire. He and his crew parachuted out of the aircraft. Seven of the crew were captured, but Marshall and his engineer escaped capture and were hidden by a French family until Patton's army liberated France 31 days after he was shot down. He arrived back in England on Sept. 10, 1944 to call his dad on his birthday to let them know he was alive.

Upon his arrival back to Colorado, Marshall met and married a beautiful young nurse named Jane Ertel. They were married in Phoenix, AZ on March 14, 1945. They farmed in the Cortez, CO area until 1957 when they had an opportunity to move to George and farm in the newly opened Columbia Basin Project. Marshall and Janie, along with their three sons and one daughter, turned a piece of sand into a productive farm and cattle feed lot where they have resided for over 42 years.

Marshall was always very active in the George and Quincy Communities. He was instrumental in the building of the George Community Hall and called Bingo for many years to help pay for it and keep it open. He was a member of the Quincy Rotary Club for 28 years, serving as President in 1980-81. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and valued his Rotary Club service very much. One of his favorite jobs in Rotary was working on the Scholarship Committee. He loved to help kids. He was also a big supporter of 4-H and was recently honored for his many years of commitment to their programs. He served as a Grant County Fire District #3 Commissioner for 17 years, retiring from that post in 1985.

Marshall was an avid volunteer in the community and along with Janie, was honored in 1991 as George Citizens of the Year. Marshall loved a practical joke and his escapades are legend around the farmers' table at Martha Inn in George where he held down a chair for 42 years.

Survivors include his wife Janie of 54 years; daughter Marsha, and her husband Jon Schuetz of Durango, CO; sons, Ed and wife Kit Field of Quincy, Kelly Field of George, Robbie and wife Liesa Field of George; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Marshall was a loving and generous husband, father, grandfather and neighbor and he will be missed by all who knew him.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30, 1999 at 11 a.m. from the First Presbyterian Church in Quincy.