Mervin Field, 94, Founded Poll That Is Mainstay Of California, National Politics
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Mervin Field, who founded the authoritative Field Poll, a mainstay of California and national politics for decades, died Monday of natural causes. He was 94.
"He was the trailblazer in California," said Field Poll Director Mark DiCamillo, who confirmed the death of Field in Marin County.
The Field Poll has published more than 2,500 reports on public opinion since Field launched the company in San Francisco in 1947. It gained a national reputation as an independent, non-partisan public opinion news service.
California Journal selected Field as one of 30 men and women who had the greatest influence on California government and politics in the 20th century. The journal said Field "has been the man who explained Californians to one another and the nation."
Fields's success was rooted in savvy business skills, technical knowledge and the latest methodological practices along with his dedication to the highest ethical standards and transparency, DiCamillo said.
"He set very clear boundaries on what was permissible," DiCamillo said, adding that Field never took on political candidates as clients because he valued the integrity of his firm.
Field is survived by a daughter, Nancy, of Oakland; son David, of San Rafael; and daughter Melanie, son-in-law John Lacuadra, and grandson Dante Lacuadra, all of Novato.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.