David C. Fletcher Was Designer, Avid Sailor

David C. Fletcher, 81, of San Diego, Calif., and Lagoon Heights, Oak Bluffs, died peacefully in the arms of his wife, Trudi, on May 23. He was the son of the late S. Madeleine and A.G. Fletcher.

Mr. Fletcher was born in Springfield on March 7, 1922. He entered the U.S. Air Force in October of 1942. He attended Fenn College in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1944 and 1945 and was graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston in 1948. Employment included positions at Indian Motorcycle, Hamilton Propeller and The Springfield Armory, where he was awarded a number of patents.

As a member of Old First Church in Springfield, Mr. Fletcher sang in the choir, as he did in the Methodist Church in Cleveland and First Congregational Church in Lemon Grove, Calif. He served as a deacon at the church in Lemon Grove.

Mr. Fletcher played the trombone in his high school band and in the summer band concerts on Martha's Vineyard. His love for music continued throughout his life. He enjoyed opera and classical music.

Mr. Fletcher married Gertrude Beck on July 7, 1956 in the Wesley Methodist Church in Springfield. After living in Springfield for a year, they traveled to California where Mr. Fletcher accepted a position at Convair. After massive layoffs at Convair, he applied at North Island Naval Station, where he continued to be awarded patents. He retired from North Island Naval Station in 1982.

Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher traveled extensively during their working days and continued to do so during their retirement years. Golfing and sailing were Mr. Fletcher's favorite hobbies. Sailing, however, was just not the same after the early death of his sailing pal, his beloved brother, Warner.

His annual summer visits to the cottage his parents built on the Lagoon, in 1927, meant a great deal to him. There he enjoyed childhood friends and neighbors.

A memorial service was held at Lemon Grove Community Church in Lemon Grove, Calif. Interment was at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma, Calif.

Mr. Fletcher was predeceased by his brother, Warner G. Fletcher, and his sister, Harriet A. Homans. Survivors include his wife, Trudi Fletcher of San Diego, Calif.; three nieces, Linda Marcil of Chicopee, Virginia Crocker of Sunbury, N.C., and Kimberly Heckler of Coventry, Conn. He also leaves a god son, Christopher Olstad of El Cajon, Calif., and a brother in law, Robert Homans of Coventry, Conn.

Donations may be made in memory of David Fletcher to the Parkinson's Disease Association in San Diego, 8555 Aero Drive Suite 205, San Diego, CA 92123 or Lemon Grove Community Church, 2770 Glebe Drive, Lemon Grove, CA 91945.