Robert L. Fletcher

Robert “Bob” L. Fletcher was a pioneer of the west valley of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. He was an avid farmer, entrepreneur, racer, and environmentalist. He worked closely with numerous organizations across the state to ensure the conservation of the Arizona environment.

Early Life

Robert Leslie Fletcher was born in Phoenix, Arizona on March 28, 1920 to parents Emma and Herbert Fletcher. He had one sister, Helen.

Bob attended Emerson Elementary School, and then Phoenix Union High School, graduating in 1938. Fletch then attended Phoenix College, graduating in 1940.

Fletcher served in Africa and Italy during World War II in the Army Air Corps 41st Depot Repair Squadron. For his service, he earned the EAME medal and two bronze stars among other recognitions.

Family

Fletcher wed Geraldine Wilson on April 18, 1942 in a ceremony at Central Methodist Church. They were happily married for 36 years before her passing. They had three children, all raised in North Central Phoenix.

In 1997, Bob married Karen McCormick, the second love of his life.

Farming

Fletcher’s love of farming began in 1939, when he purchased 320 acres of virgin desert at age 19 from a businessman working for Victory Equipment Co. This land was purchased near 83rd Ave. and Deer Valley Rd now apart of Peoria, Arizona. That holding would eventually grow to 800 acres, where he first grew vegetables and cotton before converting to citrus.

In 1982, Fletcher Farms was producing about half of the output for Arizona Citrus Growers.

Fletcher Farms served as an agricultural study site for the University of Arizona. Fletched farmed 10 acres for the university, testing pesticides, grafting techniques and growth stimulants, as well as planting varieties of citrus trees to see which was better suited to desert climates.

He was the first to dead level a field to conserve water, receiving the Soil Conservation Award in 1966 for his efforts. Bob was instrumental in the founding of the C.A.P. to bring Colorado river water to Central Arizona. He was co-founder and board member of the McMicken Irrigation District #7 which brought cheaper water and electricity to Arizona farmers and continued providing water to the area for decades.

In 2013, Robert Fletcher was inducted into the Arizona Farm and Ranch Hall of Fame.

Racing

He founded the Cobre Tire Company in 1970, which would become one of the largest independent tire dealers in the country. Fletcher also promoted the Cobre Tire Company from 1973-1982 through his Fletcher Racing Team which competed in Indy car racing at major venues like the Indianapolis 500. The Fletcher Racing Team also participated in the Indycar World Series from 1980 through 1982.Art Pollard, Bobby Unser, Pancho Carter and Lee Kunzman were a few of the well-known drivers who raced for the team. The end of the Fletcher Racing team was often given to the fatal accident of Gordon Smiley in the practices of the Indy 500 of 1982.

In August 1976, he, along with often Phoenix businessmen, became a co-owner of Phoenix International Raceway helping foster many improvements to the facility.

Legacy

Robert Fletcher died at age 100 on December 6, 2020. Despite his death is name and legacy lives on across the Phoenix area.

The neighborhoods of Fletcher Heights and Fletcher farms that were developed atop his former farm land in Peoria bare his name.

The Fletcher Library at Arizona State University’s West Campus is also named after him. He created an endowment that established the library at the campus and gives perpetual support for the library. Fletcher had been a member of the ASU Foundation and founded the university’s real estate committee.