Richard F. Fletcher

Richard “Dick” F. Fletcher, 89, passed away peacefully at home on October 18, 2024 after a life well-lived. He was born on August 6, 1935, in Hoboken, New Jersey to the late Augustus Fletcher and Mary Stella Murtaugh Fletcher. He was the second eldest sibling of two brothers and three sisters.

Dick grew up in the suburbs of Boston, MA graduating from Westwood High School where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. In 1958 he graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Shortly after that, he was on active duty as an army officer in the Army Corps of Engineers and achieved Army Airborne Ranger designation.
The last two years of his service he was involved in overseeing the construction of 12 underground Atlas Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Sites at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, NY.

Dick joined Honeywell International in 1965 until he retired in 1992 when he was the International Manager dealing with major projects in the Middle East.

Dick joined the Rotary Club of the Boundary, the first international Rotary club, in 1992. The club membership had members from Canada and the U.S. He was president of the club in 1995/96 and his service within Rotary went beyond the club level. He served at the Rotary District level for nine years. Six of those years he was the District Chair for Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships and Rotary Grants for University Teachers. He also served as the District Coordinator for Literacy for three years. In 2007/08, he received the “Rotarian of the Year” award for District 7850 for his service within the district.

As a Rotarian he worked tirelessly for international and youth related causes. He undertook efforts with the Dihele School Project in constructing a vocational boys’ school in the Kinshasa area of the DR Congo; offered his skills at Camp Massiwippee helping children with physical disabilities; and advocated for the World Affairs Seminar, a unique week-long international
educational program for high school students from around the world. Dick’s legacy will forever be cherished by the Rotarian communities in which he served. 

Dick served as Guardian ad Litem for Family Court for 12 years in Vermont. He volunteered on the Orthopedic Ward at the Children’s Hospital in Boston; was a member of the Vermont Orleans County Citizens Advocacy Council and the Stanstead Historical Society in Quebec, Canada; and board member of Hospital Albert Schweitzer advocating for clean water and high-quality health care in Haiti.

Prior to moving to Fearrington Village, North Carolina in 2015, Dick lived in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. During his time in Derby Line, Vermont he
and his wife Elizabeth opened a bed and breakfast, the Birchwood.

Dick was a self-taught musician playing the drums, dabbled in the antique business with his wife, and was a Eucharist Minister in three states. He loved sports and enjoyed playing golf as often as time would allow. Dick made a difference in every organization and activity in which he participated.

Dick was proceeded in death by his parents and one sister, Joan McGoldrick.

Dick is survived by his wife of 49 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Ferrari, whom he affectionately named “Queen Elizabeth”, beloved son, Raymond Gomez of Chelsea, Massachusetts, brother, Jack Fletcher (Susan) of Leland, North Carolina), sister, Anne Whelan (Richard) of Brookfield, Massachusetts and sister, Mary Fletcher Deal of Parker, Colorado, and a host of nieces and nephews.

A mass was held at the Newman Catholic Community Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 10 a.m. with Fr. Timothy Kulbicki presiding. A mass and an inurnment will take place later at St. Edwards Church and Cemetery in Derby Line, Vermont.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Dick’s name to Hospital Albert Schweitzer, P. O. Box 110091, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. Online condolences may be made at hashaiti.org

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Fletcher family.