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Richard Ernest William Bulstrode (aka Stubby) Field was born on 4th January 1944. His father was an RAF Wing Commander and his mother a formidable Lecturer in English. Richard attended Heath Mount Preparatory School before coming to Lancing in September 1957. Exact contemporaries included the incumbent President of Ghana and Sir Christopher Meyer. A golden intake!
Richard was placed into Gibbs’ House, under the eccentric, Rolls Royce driving, cleric- Henry Thorold. Richard’s defining characteristics at Lancing were the joyful pursuit of English Literature, his aptitude at all things sporting and an energetic ability to make himself and everyone else collapse with laughter whenever possible.
He continued the first by gaining a place to read English at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge along with fellow OL and lifelong friend Jeremy Nichols, and the second by becoming Captain of the Cricket and Squash teams and, most prestigiously, as Captain and an adventurous wing-back in Ken Shearwood’s triumphant soccer XI teams of the early 1960s. So much so that in 1961 he was the only Public School representative of the English Schools Football Team. A feat never before achieved or equaled by another from the private sector.
It was however his self-deprecating humour, energy and kindness coupled with his strong spiritual beliefs which really endeared Richard to both masters and contemporaries alike.
Upon leaving Lancing in July 1962 Richard was lured back to Heath Mount to teach in his gap year. Post Cambridge, this started a teaching career which, via Summerfields, peaked with a distinguished Housemaster’s post at Shrewsbury School. Early in this academic process he met and married his wife, Patricia, a union that lasted fifty-six fun-filled years and produced four children and a near football team of grandchildren.
Richard ended his working days as Registrar at Shrewsbury and finally as a roving correspondent for ‘The Good Schools’ Guide.’ In retirement, Richard took delight in lecturing on English poets to the Shrewsbury literati and walking the dog.
This resume hardly scrapes the surface of Richard’s varied pursuits. He was in turn, a booming baritone, prison visitor, preacher, a cavalier driver (especially of his father’s LHD Volvo), a bon viveur, a flamboyant dresser, and a great tease. We who knew him and laughed with him were privileged to do so and will miss him greatly.
Chris Brooker (Head’s 1958 – 1962)