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A shrewd businessman, DF would become Managing Director of one of the biggest newsprint companies in the world. But everything changed when he was asked to take a young woman on a blind date.

David Ralph Field, or DF to his mates, the son of an accountant, was born in Mosman at the time of the Great Depression. His father worked for the notorious Ezra Norton for whom he managed the legendary Trocadero nightclub as well as The Sun newspaper. He once claimed he made more money from "a couple of clowns playing a trumpet down at the Haymarket", than he did from the newspaper. Quite early on DF showed he was his father's son. He posssessed a shrewd business brain and also forged a career as a financial manager. DF was one of life's rare creatures: an accountant with personality.

His business acumen was recognised early and as a young man he was sent by his employer to the parent company in England to learn more about the business. The 'lessons' started on the ship over where he learned to haggle and outfox the best of the Far East merchants. Once in England, he spent all his spare time touring the countryside and immersing himself in the country's ancient history. In a career at McMillan Bloedel spanning twenty-six years, DF rose to the top to become Managing Director a one of the biggest newsprint companies in the world.

A keen cricketer and swimmer, he lived life to the full. Everything changed when he was asked to take a young woman on a blind date. He and his date were incompatible, but through her he met her sister, his beloved Val. They married, built a home, and raised two wonderful children, Graeme and Carolyn.

This is the story of DF. A lifetime of devotion to his family. Stories of journeys full of warmth and humour. A man genuinely satisfied with his lot and proud of his achievements.