It is with much sadness the Department of Economics announces the passing of Bruce Fletcher. Bill Witte shared his memories of Bruce.
In Memoriam - Bruce Fletcher
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Bruce Fletcher
Remembrance by Bill Witte
Bruce Fletcher, a long-time instructor in the Department of Economics, died peacefully on August 2, 2019 at the age of 84, following a short illness. He is survived by Mary-Ann Link, his wife of 20 years.
Bruce’s association with the Department began as a student, first as an undergraduate resulting in a B.A. degree in 1976. He then earned the only Master of Arts in Teaching degree ever awarded by the Department, following which he was hired as an instructor in Economics, a position he held for seventeen years. To say that Bruce was colorful in the classroom would be an understatement. Most of his teaching was in large sections of the Department’s introductory micro and macro courses. During his tenure he almost certainly taught more IU undergraduates than anyone else associated with the Department.
Beyond his association with IU, Bruce lived a life that was full and enormously varied. He was born on August 15, 1934 in Henderson Kentucky, where he graduated from High School in 1952. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and spent several years stationed in Germany – a source for a part of his endless repertoire of anecdotes. After mustering out he got involved in raising, training, and riding horses – specifically Tennessee Walking Horses. He became a successful competitive rider. His activity with horses continued even after he relocated to Bloomington, and all of it was source material for many more tales.
In Bloomington he also got involved in a variety of construction activities. Painting homes and apartments, drywall and flooring installation to start and then more involved projects, including construction of entire houses for two of his Economics colleagues, and remodeling projects for many more. My own house has a family room, front porch, and hardwood floors that are testimony to his craftsmanship.
Bruce had a long-standing connection to the country/bluegrass music scene in and around Bloomington. He became a friend and supporter of many emerging performers. The friends included Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings. In the 1980s he developed an interest, approaching obsession, in acoustic guitars – buying and selling, playing, hosting late night sessions with his music friends.
Another strong interest was in the consumption of good food, especially French cuisine and seafood. He was greatly saddened during the 1990s as the high-end French restaurants in Indianapolis closed one after another. Several years ago he discovered a new Indy restaurant that would prepare sweetbreads specially for him. We went there several times a year for a great meal and had a trip scheduled for the day he took ill.
Bruce was not without flaws, but he was honest and hardworking, and he was generous and loyal to his friends. He was good company and a good friend and I will miss him a lot.
The College of Arts