Robert FLETCHER

FLETCHER, HARKNESS, RECH, INMAN, GRATTON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/5/2006 at 01:00:26

Robert Fletcher, 65, of Perris, Calif., formerly of East Peoria, died Friday, Aug. 1, 1997, at his home. Born June 29, 1932, in Dows, Iowa, to Charles and Louise Rech Fletcher, he married Shirley Jean Harkness in 1953. He later married Billie Inman in 1990. She survives. Also surviving are his mother and stepfather, Louise and Ed Gratton of Peoria; two sons, Steve of Perris and Mike of Fountain Valley, Calif.; one daughter, Becky Fletcher of Kent, Wash.; two stepsons; two stepbrothers; one stepsister; and one grandchild. His father and one brother preceded him in death. He graduated from Bradley University. He worked for Beckman Medical Instruments in Missouri and California, retiring in 1977. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Memorial services were in California. Burial of cremains was in Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Calif. Information was provided by Remmert Funeral Home, East Peoria.Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Peoria Journal Star, The (IL)
August 14, 1997

Former Perris Councilman and Mayor Robert Fletcher, 65, died at home Friday of cancer.

He was born on June 29, 1932, in Dows, Iowa. He was raised in Peoria, Ill. Fletcher attended Bradley University in Illinois where he majored in anatomy and physiology. He served in the army from 1952 to 1956, moved to Perris in 1982 and retired from Beckman Scientific Instruments four years later. Fletcher served on the City Council from 1991-1995 and as mayor in 1993 and 1995. He was also the first chairman of the March Joint Powers Authority and helped coordinate development efforts between the city and the Air Force base, said the Rev. Quinn Hawley who will be conducting Fletcher's memorial service. "He was one of the people who was extremely instrumental in making this (the Joint Powers Authority) work amongst the communities," Hawley said. "Because of Bob's mild manner and non-contentious attitude our Joint Powers was able to transition into a really functioning, cooperative group," said Perris City Councilman Ascension "Sam" Torres who worked with Fletcher. The councilman also was helpful when Perris faced financial difficulties, Torres said. "I think Bob was very underestimated politically in a lot of ways because he was very quiet," Torres said. "I just can't help but think how much worse things would have been if Bob wasn't around." Fletcher was active in a number of civic organizations including the Perris Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Friends say Fletcher's hobby was restoring antique cars and making kit cars.

Fletcher is survived by his wife, Billie; two sons, Stephen of Perris and Michael of Costa Mesa; a daughter, Rebecca Fletcher of Kent, Wash.; two step-children, Byron and B.J. Inman, both of Perris; and a grandchild. A memorial service, officiated by the Rev. Hawley, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the First Congregational Church in Perris. After cremation, there will be a private service at the National Cemetary.

Press-Enterprise, The (Riverside, CA)
August 5, 1997