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Michael Fletcher FLETCH

January 10th, 1964 - July 9th, 2019

Memorial

Mementos

What do Jerry Garcia and Michael Fletcher have in common? They both performed their final show on this planet on July 9th - Jerry in 1995 and Fletch in 2019. With bravery and confidence, Fletch left this world on his own terms, and with a few loved ones by his side. After three years of struggling with ALS, he's finally at peace - and probably mountain biking at this very moment (with Sophie running up the trail behind him). Fletch grew up in Ohio with his parents Mark and Mary, and brothers Jerry and William. In his youth, he played every single sport and excelled at each of them. He met Susanne in their early teens, and her being the world's most beautiful, compassionate and fun-loving person, he never left her side. He became a fixture at the Della Torre household, and was considered a son by Frank and Jeanne, and a brother to Gene and Julie. They officially became family after he married Susanne in 1982. Months later, Sarah B. was born, and the Fletcher trifecta was complete. In the 90s, inspired by a trip to Telluride with his good friend Vance Carter, he decided that Colorado was the perfect place for him to create a home for his girls, and that Durango would be the headquarters for the many active pursuits he enjoyed. In his 55 years, he lived a full life that flourished through his many friendships. He and his twin soul Susanne travelled often - from trips touring Europe, to visits to San Francisco and Vancouver, to camping along the coast of Baja, California... and they made friends at every single stop along the way. Their big smiles and infectious laughter drew people to them, and lifelong friends were made easily. A doctor of orthodonture, his knowledge knew no limits - from esoteric facts to historical events to scientific concepts that others couldn't grasp. This awe-inspiring intelligence fueled his silly sense of humor and frequent witty remarks. In fact, in his final moments with his daughter, he chose to tell a joke in an effort to lighten the mood. After his diagnosis, he respectfully withdrew from many of his relationships, as it was important to him that his friends and family remember him during happy times: taking pleasure in wine and a good meal, rafting down the Animas River, seeing live music, hiking in the mountains, floating on Lake Powell, and countless other adventures. What we've went through as a family is devastating, and he didn't want to subject people to this tragedy any more than he had to. Please know that this very hard decision for him was made out of love. His last night together with his wife and daughter was spent sharing an intimate and incredible meal, which provided us with the closure and acceptance needed in order to courageously say goodbye to the patriarch of our small family. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please donate to the ALS Association so more research can be done, and less lives lost, due to this terrible disease. In his memory, please listen to and enjoy the song he requested we play before his journey to a better place: "Black Peter," by the Grateful Dead. All of my friends come to see me last night I was laying in my bed and dying Annie Beauneu from Saint Angel Say "the weather down here so fine" Just then the wind Came squalling through the door But who can The weather command? Just want to have A little peace to die And a friend or two I love at hand Fever roll up to a hundred and five Roll on up Gonna roll back down One more day I find myself alive Tomorrow Maybe go Beneath the ground See here how everything Lead up to this day And it's just like Any other day That's ever been Sun goin up And then the Sun it goin down Shine through my window and My friends they come around Come around Come around The people may know but People don't care That a man could be As poor as me Take a look at poor Peter He's lying in pain Now let's go run And see Run and see Run and see Run, run, and see Hey, hey, run and see

Tributes

Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Michael’s life with a heartfelt message.

Donna Hardwick

Dr. Fletcher was a great orthodontist, biker, rafter, house boater and friend. We will be missed by so many people. Susanne and Sarah, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Published August 8th, 2019

James Eich

We were heartbroken to hear of Fletch's illness. More so to hear of his passing...And your loss, Suse and Sarah! He was an amazing orthodontist who raised the bar in our town. And an amazing athlete: I still remember him passing me riding up Coal Bank Pass in one of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic races, with a big grin on his face. And talking to me as if we were on flat ground... Would have liked to hang out more, but you guys were always with Joe and Pam! Miss yuh Fletch.

Published July 26th, 2019

Lordog & Jamey Kirby

We have lots of wonderful memories of "Sketch and Fluzanne" as we fondly called them. I will miss Fletch and will always remember his grin, his constant energy, his love for life, laughter, fun and his family. Susanne & Sarah - We are so sad and so sorry for your loss - for the world's loss! We love you! PS I will add more photos as I find them!!! xoxoxoxoxo

Published July 17th, 2019

Susan Cerny

Dear Susanne, Though miles and time have kept us distant from each other the place you hold in my heart has always remained filled with fond memories and love. You have been on my mind continually and as my heart breaks for you, I pray for hope and comfort and continued strength to carry you through. Love, Susie (Kwiatkowski) Cerny

Published July 27th, 2019

Val Haley

I have been reading all of these beautiful posts over the last week trying to collect my thoughts and memories into something that could be put into words but I'm still struggling to make sense of it all. When I think of all that Sus and Sarah have been through these last years as they provided care and comfort to this man they loved so much, my heart breaks for all three of them thinking of what it must have been like. My memories all come from many years ago as distance has made recent memories hard to come by. But I've revisited those old memories frequently in the last several days and I am glad that there are so many of them. Sus and Mike and I all met in 7th grade and from there we all grew up together. Even through my college years, every visit home included time spent together. I remember being in Student Council with Mike (I know he became Fletch in later years, but in my memory he is still Mike) and arguing with him about practically every subject that came up in the meetings. I remember parties on Friday nights after football games and double dating to our senior prom. I was lucky enough to stand with Julie at their wedding and to visit every chance I could when Sarah was born so that I could be her Auntie Vee. And I remember how they partied with all of our friends at our wedding as if they'd known them forever. When Mike finished at Cleveland State they left Berea and our visits became less frequent (Sus, I think the Grateful Dead concert in Chicago may have been the last time we were together) but they have remained in my heart no matter how far apart we were. The pictures I have to share are from our much younger days but my love for all three of you remains as strong today as it was when these were taken. My mom and Paula also send their love to you both. Sending much love and strength your way as you move forward into this new life, one in which he will missed by so many, but none more than you. 💙

Published July 23rd, 2019

Ron and Amy Kruske

When Fletcher and I first met, he was on a mission. It was the end of the summer of 1985. We were both newly enrolled freshman in graduate school and after a week of "meet and greet events" and I was cautiously making new acquaintances. I believe it was the last night of freshman activities from welcome week. It was Friday happy hour at "The Greenhouse" and it turned out to be a fateful night. Who was the new guy I hadn't met yet? It only took a few minutes before we were toasting pints, laughing and talking about things other than school. Fletcher had the unusual combination of brains and brawn. Stupid tough, yet so damn intelligent. A "guys" guy, someone you want on your team, a leader and a worker, and just an all-around class act. After buying each other a few rounds, happy hour was winding down when I rolled my thumbs up over my index fingers and asked my new buddy if "he wanted to see if we could get in more trouble?" In classic Fletcher style he quickly looked over each shoulder, pulled up that Fletcher grin and said "Hell Yeah!" The next four years we were inseparable we did everything together. Amy and I became Della Torre foster children as Fletch and I trudged through school. We laughed till we cried, we partied, we studied, and we even vacationed together. Each one a book of stories… LOL! We became one with the sea! We shared traditions and lifestyles. Everything from clambake's to Dead shows, we did it all. It was however a trying time in life and I depended on Fletcher. I depended on him for the competition and the camaraderie. He kept me going with his tough as nails attitude, his incredible brain and that dry as hell sense of humor. (Always/still makes me laugh). Nothing was going to stop this guy. You see he was on a mission. A mission to get into an orthodontic post doc program so he could write his ticket out of Berea Ohio and make a great life for his family. And he had "the passion". Passion for everything he did. Ever try following him on mountain bike? His passion for a good time could not be restrained.....entertaining is an understatement. That Fletcher grin is always my mental picture of a truly great man. The smiles he made not only with his heart and humor but also with his own hands and skills. His energy is now limitless and eternal. We remain, inseparable. R.I.P.= Ride in Peace my Brother, I'll see you on the other side of the pass.....I love you man! Ronald......................................................................................................................................................................... I'll never forget the night in 1987 when you called me into work "sick" so we could stay longer and play that extra 5, 10 (who knows how many) hands of euchre and listen to Joe Walsh the night of our combined birthday celebration. I thought you were joking when you asked for my work number but then when I heard you talking to the Night Nurse… well I'm still laughing about that!! I'll never forget camping with you Suz, and Ron at the Grateful Dead concert and you and Ron sleeping on the hood of the car so Suz and I could have the luxurious "Caddie Seats" suite. I'll never forget vacationing in Florida with you both, driving there in your Plymouth Horizon, getting a one room condo that was on sale in the Plain Dealer and taking turns with which couple got to sleep in the bedroom and which one got the couch that night, endless hours of "trivial pursuit", wheel of mis-fortune, rotisserizing by the pool, buying a blender to mix drinks in and then returning it on our way home claiming we had gotten 2 for a birthday gift? I'll never forget how you taught me to put one nostril in a wine class to "test it" and that silly face you made when I asked you why in the hell one was supposed to do that? I'll never forget how 100% badass you were when mountain biking up a trail that I could barely walk up and the smile on your face as you raced past all of us! I'll never forget the sunsets and the laughter in Carlsbad with you, Suz and Ron....and petting all of the dogs on the boardwalk. I'll never forget how hard you could make us all laugh, even when things seemed impossible, awful, sad or tragic. You had a joke….even when we were just moments before in tears. I'll never forget how much you loved Susanne and Sarah and your family. I'll never forget how you made us feel every time we were together and the love we all shared.. I'll simply never forget you Fletch. Amy... aka Oman

Published July 16th, 2019

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