A TRIBUTE TO KEN FIELD: Kenneth S. Field was born on March 31, 1918, in Duluth, MN. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Management at the University of Minnesota, and an MBA at Syracuse University. He went on to a brilliant career in Forensics.
Before coming to Colorado Springs, Ken was the director of the Federal Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Washington DC. He moved the laboratory to Colorado Springs and ran it here until he retired in 1985.
Ken was a member of the Academy of Forensic Sciences for 27 years, twice serving as the executive director. He was a member of the editorial board of the academy’s journal and chairman of the group’s history committee, for whom he wrote the history of the academy.
The American Academy of Forensic Sciences is a multi-disciplinary professional organization that provides leadership to advance science and its application to the legal system. The Academy gives recognition to outstanding members in the field of forensics, with the “Kenneth S. Field Award of Appreciation for Outstanding Service.”
In 1997, the R.B.H. Gradwohl Medallion Award was presented to Ken Field, as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Forensics Sciences. This is the academy’s most prestigious honor, named for its founder. The award is given in recognition of exceptional distinction in research or literature, outstanding service to the academy, and for exemplary achievement in public services involving the forensic sciences. Ken was the 7th recipient of the award, and was recognized for having received this award in the August 1997 issue of the Rotarian Magazine.
Ken has been a member of our club for over 40 years, having joined on August 12, 1976, and is currently one of our Honorary Members. He lives at the Liberty Heights retirement community.
He became a Paul Harris Fellow in 1981, was the club’s bulletin editor for some time, and in 1984-85 won the district award for the best bulletin in the district.
He was selected as the William L. Smith Award winner in 1985. In 1986-87 Ken served as our club’s president, and the club received the D.D. Monroe Award for his year as President.
He is an expert on John Paul Jones and has given presentations to our club several times over the past years.
On March 31, Ken will celebrate his 100th birthday. I believe he is the only club member who has ever reached this milestone.
Ken always exhibited the highest levels of professionalism and ethical standards, and those who have known him are among the very fortunate.
On March 8 our Board of Directors voted to recognize Ken by dedicating this month, of March 2018, as “Ken Field Month.”
Presented by Max Calkins, Club Historian
