Obituary of Frank LeVan Field

Dr. Frank LeVan Field, EdD, 83, of Titusville, passed away Friday afternoon October 23, 2015 at his home following an extended illness. Dr. Field was born on June 5, 1932 at Philadelphia, PA, a son of the late Frank and Stacia Lutz Field. He was married to Frances Drusko Nelson on October 28, 1995 in Tionesta. He was a graduate of Westtown Quaker Boarding School in West Chester, PA, class of 1949 and entered Harvard College in 1950. He enlisted in the US Army on Sept. 17, 1952 and began his basic training and advanced engineer training at Ft. Belvoir, VA. He attended engineer leadership school until March of 1953 as corporal. In June of 1953 he was assigned to Engineer Officers’ Training Candidate School and was commissioned on Nov. 17, 1953. He was later assigned to the 11th Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, KY and later transferred to the 148th Engineer Battalion in July of 1955 at which time he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He was honorably discharged in November of 1955. He was recalled from the reserves in 1967 and assigned as an advisor to Central America commands and organizations. He was awarded the Distinguished Military Graduate of The Engineer Officers Candidate School in 1953. He also served with the Merchant Marines and Corp of Engineers. He returned to Harvard College to finish his studies and graduated magna cum laude 1958. He then taught at Harvard College as well as counseling and research until 1964 earning his EdD. He was awarded the National Vocational Guidance Association Research Prize in 1965. He served as Assistant, and later Associate Professor, Coordinator of Counselor Education, and staff psychologist at the University of California at Santa Barbara from 1964 to 1973. From 1974 until 1977 he served as Associate Dean of Students at College of William and Mary and as Director of Counseling Services at Bowdoin College. He also published some two dozen journal articles and book chapters. In 1978 he began his clinical practice in public mental health in New Hampshire serving as Head of the Adolescent Unit at New Hampshire State Hospital as a psychotherapist and psychologist while also advancing his psychology studies, and later in Pennsylvania serving as Senior Therapist at the Titusville Satellite Office of the Meadville Medical Center Mental Health Counseling Center as well as with various other physicians. He provided limited counseling, advisory and referral practice at St. Walburga Church in Titusville where he became dear friends with Fr. Rocco Tito. He also wrote “A Counselor’s Notebook” for the Titusville Herald and “The Seventeen Wishes and The Only Thing”. Dr. Field had attended St. Walburga Church where he served on parish council and was a CCD teacher. He enjoyed reading and the view of nature and the creek at his home. He was a motorcycle enthusiast, until he could no longer ride, and later enjoyed his scooter. He enjoyed spending time with his grandson Rocky. Dr. Field is survived by his wife Frances of Titusville; a son, Frank LeVan “Lee” Field III and his wife Lee Ann of Santa Barbara, CA; step-children, Emily R. Nelson and Matthew A. Nelson of Titusville; step-grandchildren, Rocky Nelson of Titusville and Kristofer and Destiny Schaefer of East Stroudsburg; and a close friend of many years, Susie Stewart of Oil City. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a step-son, Jacob L. Nelson. No public calling hours will be observed. The family asks that memorials be made to Benson Memorial Library 213 N. Franklin St. Titusville, PA 16354.