In Loving Memory of
Robert D. Fletcher
September 25, 1935 – February 16, 2020
Virtual Memorial Gathering
December 4, 2021
11:00 AM PST
Watch Recording of Memorial Gathering
Robert (Bob) Fletcher, 84, passed away February 16, 2020 at his home in Atherton, California. He is survived by his wife Ann, daughter Cathleen Doran, son Bob Fletcher, two grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many close friends.
Bob was born in Long Beach, California on September 25, 1935 to Ben and Margaret Fletcher. He graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 1953, then attended Stanford University on a baseball scholarship, playing center field. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1957 and Master of Business Administration in 1959.
Bob started his career with Kordite Corporation, eventually moving to Avery Label Corporation where he worked for over 30 years. In the latter part of his career his work assignments provided adventures for Bob and Ann living abroad first in London and then Hong Kong.
Upon retirement Bob and Ann returned to the United States to live in Atherton, California. Re-connecting with his Stanford roots as an avid Cardinal Baseball fan, he enjoyed his season ticket seats on the first base line, looking out over Sunken Diamond.
Bob and Ann pursued travel across the globe, with some adventure highlights including safari in Africa, cruising the Yangtze River, trekking in Nepal and expedition to Antarctica. Bob and Ann shared this love for foreign travel with their children and grandchildren, taking them on holidays to Europe and Asia. They enjoyed part-time residences in Ashland, Oregon and Ketchum, Idaho, connecting with the lives of their children and grandchildren.
Bob was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous for over 39 years. His deep passion for AA and twelve-step recovery became a foundation of his life, living one day at a time. He shared his rich spirit of personal recovery with others, deeply touching and shaping his relationships with and the lives of his family and so many friends.
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It was the best thing that happened in my career when I was asked to join the Avery Dennison APAC team in the Shui On Centre office in Wanchai, Hong Kong. I appreciate the regional exposure, and more so the opportunity to observe and learn from Bob’s value in life and leadership, which I could refer to from time to time. He posed as an extremely tough manager but we could all feel that his kindness, candor, and caring. Surprised to receive his first email and glad that we kept our email communication. He had not used PC before retirement.
Ann, may I wish you well. My mom still has fond memories of our dinner together in SF.
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From the time we entered college as freshmen Bob was my closest friend. Our years together in baseball were wonderful memories and, as you might expect, he was a leader among our many remarkable team members.
I was fortunate to have been invited to stay with Bob and Ann and watch some weekends of Stanford baseball after he retired. We resumed our old friendship.
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From Long Beach Poly on,, Bob was a close friend. Our family photo sites, have beach pictures of his family and kids in the early 50s. He was instrumental in assisting me vocationally and helped provide the catalyst needed for permanent membership in AA. In February 2022, that will have been 43 years ago. He was faithful with continuous contacts, meetings and visits in Ashland and Sun Valley. I enjoyed his values even when they were a little goofy. e. g. He went to Sun Valley to become an outdoors genius and bought a Land Rover to favor this lifestyle. That worked until his repair expenses exceeded the value of the car and he gave the car away to a mechanic. I also wondered about the little Mercedes he drove that had a trunk – that would not house golf clubs or a shopping bag. It was nice to know that we all do some dopey things as we attempt to grow up. Bob and Kathy should know that their Dad was always good to me and was really busy for a guy that was retired. I had a pool of High School friends that I have kept in touch with and he was the last one I thought I would outlive. Think he still has a scheduling app – he uses?
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I met Bob at an Avery International Management Conference taking place at Villa d’ Este, Lake Como, Italy. I had just married Chuck Miller and when Bob heard about this he made sure we had the most incredible suite on the corner with the most amazing view. And I have never stayed there since but it is clear in my mind still. That was May, 1982. Funny but after reading Bob’s obituary, I don’t recall knowing that he graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic. I graduated from there also but in 1964. My grandfather was the 2nd graduating class of Poly and my father followed., so 3rd generation. Anyway, it is nice to know that Bob lived such a full life and especially with his companion Ann. May all the family enjoy remembering so many special memories. All the best to all of you.
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Bob hired me out of Ford Motor Company Ford Division, Finance. I saw the opportunity to grow within the Avery Label Group and Bob totally supported my aspirations. He was one of the best bosses during my career!
Bob was a leader with a plan and direction for the label business. Bob was a great coach of the label team. I felt very supported in a challenging environment. Bob was a great mentor of people and supported individuals in taking on new challenges — in my case it was the move from finance to general management.
Bob and Ann became a good friends to Sue and me. We enjoyed vacations together which even included our three-year-old son, Kurt, who on our first trip to a Montana dude ranch entered Bob and Ann’s cabin every morning with the question “Why Bob?” Bob was good natured about it and we have many happy memories of times spent with Bob and Ann.
Although it has been over a year since Bob’s passing, we give Ann, Bob(by), and Cathleen our sincerest sympathy. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
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Bob was my boss, my mentor and my cherished friend. We met in Hong Kong in 1995 and remained friends through time and distance. I admired so much about Bob, but especially his zest for life, his deep empathy for others and his unwavering devotion to family and friends. He always encouraged me to be my best self and to live my best life. I feel so grateful to have had him in my life and will deeply miss him.
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My relationship with Bob started with him being my boss which I respected and then became a mentor which I admired and finally a friend which I cherished. If the value of someone’s life is how they impact people around them then the positive impact Bob had on my career and my life is priceless. I miss our conversations and dinners when Bob visited LA. I think about him often.
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Bob was my boss and mentor in Asia Pacific. We had great fun building up China and APAC businesses together. Bob helped me mature as a business executive. We stayed in touch after Bob and I retired from Avery. Because of his mentoring and advice, I am still active in China helping business executives and businesses.
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As a young guy beginning his career, I was fortunate to have Bob as a mentor at Avery Label. He was a strong leader with an incisive mind and a lot of common sense. I’ve always been grateful for his support.
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Bob Fletcher was my close friend for 25 years at Avery, and for the time after i retired until his untimely death. We talked on the telephone every week, and we enjoyed his frequent visits to our home in Santa Barbara. Bob’s friendship was my most treasured legacy from Avery. We travelled together with Ann and my wife, Jany, and they accompanied us on my fantastic retirement on Avery’s plane to several reunions with European cities with our collogues there, and a week in Capri and the Loure Valley in France. I played an important role in Bob,’s recovery process, and we stood up for him and Ann in their marraige in Sun Valley. I have never had a more important friendship than the one we enjoyed. Both Jany and I miss him terribly.
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Bob always reminded me of Jason Robards playing Ben Bradlee in All The Presidents Men advising young reporters at the Washington Post on the Watergate scandal. He made me feel in my Avery career like Bob Woodward did in that movie….. always pushed to do more, taking steps to make sure I had my facts straight and then supported unequivocally.
Geoff Martin
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Bob was a dear friend, mentor and AA Sponsor. Without his unselfish and steadfast support I would probably not be sober today. Through him I also have become a Stanford Cardinal fan, and have continued to stay close with his family. He was a remarkable man.
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Bob was a wonderful influence on me and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to meet him. I have a picture of him throwing out the first pitch at a Stanford baseball game, which I was delighted to share with him. I was able to confirm that he threw a strike!
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We grew up mostly in Southern California and spent most summers either at the Trestles or the Bay with family friends. Dad worked hard at teaching me to body surf and I have a great love of the ocean and water due to that. And because of his hunting/shooting I had the opportunity to learn to ride and a love for horses. Sometimes we went down by ourselves. My brother and I are so fortunate for the trips we took with him not just in the states but outside… e gave us a view of the world and other people that we probably would never have. And I am ever thankful for that. I am fortunate to know that he loved us regardless…. Miss you daddy