Robert Fielder

Robert H. Fielder (Bob) passed away peacefully on March 18, 2012 in Encinitas, California at the age of 89. He is predeceased by his beautiful wife, Shirley. Bob was born to Harry and Forrest Fielder in Staples, Minnesota on August 14, 1922. He married Shirley Starr on June 12, 1948 in Pelican Rapids, MN. Bob is survived by his three children, Deborah Starr Loughran (Michael) of Vista, CA; Lindsay Starr Donaldson of Edmonds, WA and Mark R. Fielder (Carol) of Burbank, CA and his seven grandchildren Jason,(Jennifer), Andrew, Connor, Sydney Starr, Melanie Starr, Erica Starr, Sabrina Starr and great-granddaughter, Riley Starr. The first of his family to attend college, Bob attended Moorhead State University (Moorhead, MN) on an athletic scholarship for football and basketball. He obtained his BA in Education and went on to obtain his Masters Degree from University of North Dakota, Grand Forks in 1953. Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in the fall of 1942 as a senior in college. He was called to active duty in 1943 during World War II. Bob served in the Pacific and Northern China in the Marine 6th Division. Upon his return to finish his senior year of college in the fall of 1946 he met the love of his life Shirley. The captain of the football team and the cheerleader were married 18 months later. Bob returned to active service during the Korean conflict in 1951 and ultimately retired from the Marine Corps with the rank of Major in February of 1952 after a decade of loyal service to the USMC. Upon leaving the military, Bob first coached and taught in the towns of Dilworth and Osakis (MN) and Parshall, ND. In 1953 he was hired by the Grossmont Union High School District, La Mesa, CA where he taught, coached and served as a mentor for many years to hundreds of students at Grossmont, El Cajon and Granite Hills High Schools before moving into Administration. The years coaching and guiding students who eventually became lifelong friends were among Bob's best years. He retired from the Grossmont Union High School District in 1986. Upon retirement from the District, Bob continued in the educational field working as a student teacher supervisor for an additional 15 years with National University and Chapman College.The family has fond memories of many trips to Minnesota and to their vacation home in Baja. Bob and Shirley especially relished their annual visits to their dearly loved state of Minnesota to be with the Tunheim family, and other cousins and friends. Bob and Shirley moved to Carlsbad, CA in 1999 and enjoyed the life of a retired couple. In October of 2006, Bob was inducted into the Moorhead State University Athletic Hall of Fame recognized as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track. Bob and three other track teammates held the university record for the 400 relay for many years beyond their graduation. He was terribly proud that two of his granddaughters have gone on to compete in the collegiate level of sports in soccer and basketball. Bob will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife in the Starr family plot at Pelican Valley Cemetery, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.From your three children, Deborah, Lindsay and Mark: "Dad- continue to march".Graveside Service: 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 25, 2012 at the Pelican Valley Cemetery in Pelican Rapids Funeral Home:Larson Funeral Home304 3rd Street S.E.Pelican Rapids, MNUS 56572