Donald R. Fletcher ’39

Don died June 7, 2025, at the age of 106. He carried all those associated with the Class of 1939 far into our 11th decade. He led the P-rade at our 85th reunion in May 2024, carrying the Class of 1923 Cane with its silver tiger on top. He brought his firm, gracious, and creative self to all the many places he ministered and taught: from Chile to Mexico, from Austin, Texas to Tuscaloosa, Ala., from Cherry Hill to Rossmoor, N.J. And finally to Voorhees, N.J., just under 50 miles from where he was born in Ventnor City Jan. 7, 1919.

When responding to the question for our 50th reunion in 1989, “What has been your most memorable Princeton experience since graduating?” Don replied, “It was the total surprise of being called up to receive the ’39 award as a teacher at our class dinner in Procter Hall in 1979.” Also, in 1989 he shared his fondest undergraduate memory: “Freshman year, standing in Blair Arch at night, looking down on all the dormitory lights and feeling the excitement that the whole new Princeton experience was opening up to me.”

September 1936 is now 89 years distant from us. But with these words — and with his poetry, short stories, and paintings over the last 35 years — Don has connected us and continues to connect us with deep, universal emotions. We express gratitude for his long life.

We extend our sympathy to his children, Donna Poole, Sylvia Fletcher *75, Thomas Fletcher, Marilyn Keith, Alan Fletcher ’78, Lawrence Fletcher-Hill ’80; to his 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.