Weston Fields
Jan 16, 1948 -
May 25, 2023
Kodiak, Alaska, resident Dr. Weston Fields died on May 25, 2023, at his set netting site in Uyak Bay. Weston's family moved to Kodiak in 1949. In 1960, the family purchased a set netting operation on Bear Island in Uyak Bay. Throughout his whole life, Weston returned to Bear Island every summer to fish, even while pursuing his other work during the winter.
Weston graduated from Kodiak High School in 1966 and attended college in Omaha, Neb., majoring in Bible. During college, he met his first wife, Beverly. His children, Tamie and DeWitt - who now goes by Fr. Herman - were born during his tenure as a professor of Bible at Grace Theological Seminary in Indiana. In 1985, Weston moved to Jerusalem, Israel, with his family in order to pursue a Ph.D. in Old Testament at Hebrew University.
In 1991, upon Weston's initiative, the Dead Sea Scrolls Foundation was started by him and Emanuel Tov. As the Managing Director, he was to jumpstart funding for the publication of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Weston brought a unique combination of practical business skills and a qualified scholarly knowledge. Weston published "The Dead Sea Scrolls: a Full History," which chronicles the discovery of the scrolls and the continuing archaeological excavations.
Weston was married to his second wife, Diane Gould, in 1995, who then moved from Minnesota to live with him in Kodiak.
Weston's legacy is his stalwart work ethic, steady leadership, hunger for learning, friendships with people from many places and walks of life, his humor, love for God and family. Weston was a teacher and a storyteller. He was masterful with his words and practical with his hands. The most beautiful things he could make were a spliced rope and the written word. He is survived by his wife, Diane; children, Tamie and Fr. Herman; stepson, Cullan; brothers, Duncan and Wallace.
Funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Community Baptist Church in Kodiak. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Community Baptist Church, Kodiak Alaska.
