Obituaries

Frederick “Fred” Fletcher, age 89, peacefully passed away at his home on January 17, 2025. He was born May 5, 1935, in Madison, Wisconsin, the only child of Earl and Leona (Cass) Fletcher.

Fred spent his final days (and years) quietly enjoying life on Drummond Island, Michigan. After a lifetime of extraordinary adventures including raising five children, running twelve marathons, and hiking the entirety of the Appalachian Trail, Fred found solace in yoga and gardening in his own little piece of northwoods paradise with his wife of 62 years. As a young man, Fred served in the United States Army until marrying his wife, Dorothy Lenahan, in 1956. Fred and Dorothy spent thirty-five years in Wisconsin raising their family, including their beloved dog Winchester (Winnie), while Fred worked for the United States Postal Service for 25 years. After retiring to Drummond Island, they found a quiet and quaint community that suited them well. They enjoyed a bowling league, kayaking on Lake Huron, and spoiling their cats. Fred was an introspective, yet humorous man, enjoying everything from Buddhist philosophy to a good dirty joke. A man ahead of his time, Fred enjoyed writing poetry, running, and meditation as far back as the 1950’s - long before such hobbies were common. He was a man who knew himself, and accepted others as they were.

Fred is survived by his children, Chet (Helene McCusker) Fletcher, Curt (Geri) Fletcher, Joy Fletcher, Jill (Scot) Warren, and Joan (Adolf) Aranda; grandchildren, Autumn, Curt Jr, Shawn, Lydia, Anthony, Alec, Mychelyn, Scotty, and Shane; and fourteen beautiful great-grandchildren.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Fletcher; father, Earl Fletcher; and mother, Leona Leary.

He is also survived by his poetry:

The Seasons:
Fresh of springs coming,
lost in winters informalities
for love of all seasons
that do pronounce themselves to all living things
to accept that feeling is a meaning to them.

Per Fred’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. In his words “Look inside, be that.”

He will be laid to rest with his lifelong companion Dorothy on Drummond Island.