DAVID EDWARD FLETCHER

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DAVID EDWARD FLETCHER

February 19, 1941 - October 19, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of David Edward Fletcher, affectionately known as "Dave" to his friends and "Dad" to his children. David passed away on October 19, 2024 suddenly at home, at the age of 83, leaving a legacy that will endure in the hearts of his children and grandchildren.

Born in 1941 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya (now Malaysia), David was predeceased by his parents, Norman Barry Fletcher and Ruth Fletcher (née Mabin); his brother, Peter Fletcher; and his sisters, Patricia and her twin, Belinda Fletcher. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joanne (née Hobbs); his children, Steven and Gordon Fletcher (Lisbeth); his daughter, Julia Fletcher (Steve); and his cherished grandchildren, Madeline, Evelyn, Henry, Oliver, David, and Thomas. David also leaves behind many cousins, particularly in New Zealand.

David’s early years were shaped by adversity. His family was living in Malaya when, on the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese invaded. His father, Barry, served in the defence of Singapore and was captured, spending three and a half years as a prisoner of war in brutal conditions. David and his mother Ruth moved to New Zealand for safety, with no knowledge of whether Barry had survived. After the war, David was briefly reunited with his family in Malaya before attending boarding school from the age of seven in New Zealand, spending the longer school holidays with his parents in Malaya. These early challenges instilled in him a lifelong commitment to family. In New Zealand David developed his love for exploration and adventure, exploring many treks in the mountains of the South Island.

David graduated from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch with a degree in electrical engineering. He moved to Manchester, England where his father had received his electrical engineering degree. David stayed in England for three years to pursue postgraduate training and then joined Montreal Engineering in Canada. He relocated to Winnipeg to work on the Nelson River Bipole 1 transmission system for the hydroelectric projects in Northern Manitoba. David met Joanne at the Winnipeg Ski Club and they were married in 1968.

David’s career as a professional engineer spanned over 40 years with Teshmont, where he specialized in the design of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) electrical transmission systems. His contributions to projects such as Manitoba’s Bipole 1 and Bipole 2 established Teshmont as a global leader in HVDC. David’s work took him around the world, including a notable assignment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to work on the world’s largest hydroelectric project, where his children Steven and Gordon were born, with a stint in Sweden. Upon returning to Winnipeg in 1977, David and Joanne completed their family with the birth of their daughter, Julia, and settled into their first home on Stanford Bay, where they would live for 47 years. David travelled the world, designing and supervising major electrical projects in the Middle East, China (including the Three Gorges hydro projects), South America, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada. He was passionate about bringing reliable power to developing nations, which he believed was essential for improving their quality of life, health, and economy. He also contributed to the advancement of HVDC technology through his publications, presentations, and memberships in various professional associations.

David was a dedicated and loving father; a commitment he demonstrated in profound and selfless ways. All three of his children graduated in engineering from the University of Manitoba, following in their father’s footsteps and the fourth generation of Fletcher’s to choose engineering as a profession. His unwavering support was especially evident when his son Steven became a quadriplegic after a tragic accident. David visited Steven daily, navigating the challenges of medical care, institutional resistance, and insurance complications to help his son reintegrate into society and even thrive. This commitment helped lay the foundation for Steven’s later success as a Member of Parliament and federal cabinet minister, a path that would not have been possible without David’s tireless support.

Outside his professional achievements, David was a passionate wilderness canoeist. He embraced the Canadian wilderness, spending countless summers on canoe trips with his children, exploring Atikaki, Nopiming, and Woodland Caribou Provincial Parks and other unknown or unexplored territory. These expeditions, though often gruelling, were beloved family adventures, driven by David’s love for the wilderness and his desire to share character building experiences with his children. The canoe routes he planned sometimes even required travelling by float plane or CN Rail to access the remote areas. He served as President of the Manitoba Recreational Canoeing Association (MRCA) and regularly wrote detailed articles about his canoe routes for the MRCA newsletter, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with other paddlers.

David was also an avid tennis player. He enjoyed playing tennis throughout his life, competing in local tournaments, playing with his grandchildren and continuing to play into his 80s. David also enjoyed cheering on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba’s curling teams. David’s legacy extends into public service as well. He served on the board of the Conservative Party of Canada for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia, contributing to four successful election campaigns, and for several years he represented Manitoba on the party’s National Council during Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s third term.

David was a hardworking, adventurous, and family-oriented man. He always provided for his family and supported them in their endeavours. He was proud of his sons' and daughter’s achievements in sports and academics and delighted in his grandchildren's growth and development. He was patient, generous, kind, and often equipped with a witty comment. He enjoyed taking photos of friends and family and often had a camera handy. He had a positive outlook on life and faced challenges with courage and grace. In recent months, as his beloved wife Joanne faced the challenges of frontotemporal dementia, David continued to embody selflessness, patience and goodness, attentively supporting her.

A celebration of David's life will be held on Monday November 25, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at The Leaf, on the second floor, in Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg. Friends and family are encouraged to attend in formal attire, their best camping or canoeing attire, or in their favourite tennis gear, in tribute to David’s spirit of adventure and his love for the outdoors. Condolences may be sent to fletcherfamily@mymts.net. Please email if you would like the link to the livestream of the Celebration of Life.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 02, 2024, Nov 02, 2024