Larry Field

For Lawrence I. Field– known to most as Larry– Jewish leadership was a “family business.”

He was a member of the JUF/Jewish Federation board; his daughter, Cindy Kaplan, was a vice chair; and his nephew, Carey Cooper, was a board member and chaired the 2023 JUF Annual Campaign.

Field also followed in the philanthropic footsteps of previous generations of his family. In fact, the Dina and Eli Field EZRA Multi-Service Center was named after his parents. “He learned much from his father and mother, Eli and Dina, and dutifully passed on those commitments to his children and grandchildren,” said Steven B. Nasatir, JUF’s Executive Vice President.

Field served on the JUF/JF Board from 1983 to 1988. His leadership roles included Chair of Major Gifts, Country Club Day, Jewish Professionals Network, and Pacesetters. He and his wife, Barbara, are Golden Givers to the JUF Annual Campaign, having contributed for more than 50 consecutive years.

“Larry and I met in October 1979,” recalled Jeffrey Cohen, JUF Senior Vice President of Financial Resource Development. “He was my chair for the Paper Division. Over our 45-year friendship, he rarely said ‘no.’ I was in Israel twice with Larry and Barbara, who also hosted two Snowbird events at their home in Florida. I already miss him.”

“We lost a truly special member of our community,” JUF President Lonnie Nasatir added. “He embodied kindness, a sharp acumen, a huge heart, and a love for the Jewish people.”

Additionally, Field served on the board of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and chaired its Africa and Asia Committees, and sat on the board of then-Jewish Vocational Service, both supported by JUF. He also served on the board of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El; he began his life of Jewish service as president of that synagogue’s youth group.

“Larry cared about all things Jewish. He was a good friend to many, and whose commitment to family and the Jewish people was exemplary,” Steven Nasatir recalled. “He will be seriously missed and lovingly remembered.”

Field gave of his time beyond the Jewish community, as well. He was a board member and trustee at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, and a board member of the Chicago Lyric Opera. He also was a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago and the Council of Booth School of Business at University of Chicago.

Field was born on the West Side of Chicago, and then, at 11, he and his family moved to Glencoe. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Upon graduation from college, Field joined Field Container, a paperboard and packaging converter founded by his father in 1942. He served as president and CEO of Field Container for 25 years, growing the business into the fifth-largest folding carton manufacturer in the U.S., before the company was sold in 2006. Upon his death, he was Chairman of Field Holdings, whose subsidiaries invest in real estate and acquired and operate packaging-related manufacturers.

Field’s hobbies included playing bridge, golfing with his wife, and skiing with his family. “My father was a gentleman who put family, friends, and the Jewish community above all else,” said his daughter Cindy. ”He was devoted to the family, and to the Jewish community and Israel. He was charismatic, philanthropic, and funny. A leader and innovator in [his] industry, he taught his children and grandchildren to work hard, give generously to those in need, and live life to the fullest.”

Field was the beloved and devoted husband of Barbara (nee Gaynes) and the cherished father of Michelle (Frank Yanez) and Rachel Field and Cindy (Joe) Kaplan. He was the loving grandfather of eight and the adoring great-grandfather of three. He also was the dear brother of Sandra (Phil) Cooper, Marty (Donna) and Bob (Joan) Field, Linda Weber (Norman Gordon), and Susan (Charlie) Mueller. Memorial contributions may be made to JUF or the JDC.