Dr. Paul F. Fletcher, of Columbus, Oh., passed away March 6, 2001 at Grant/Riverside, Kobacker House. Dr. Fletcher graduated from Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Oh. in 1941 and entered Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tenn. where he earned an M.D. degree in 1944. He interned at Provident Hospital, Chicago, Ill. from 1944-1945 and entered the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant, General Medical Ward Physician from 1945-1946. Dr. Fletcher was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1946 and established General Practice, Lancaster, Pa. as Attending Staff, St. Joseph's Hospital and Lancaster General Hospital from 1946-1950. He then moved to Cincinnati, Oh. and established General Practice as Attending Staff, Catherine Booth Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital from 1950-1954. Dr. Fletcher then reentered the U.S. Army Service with the rank of Captain, 18th FA Battalion, Germany as a Battalion Surgeon. He was promoted to the rank of Major in 1955 and served as Chief, Outpatient Department, Muensweiller Station Hospital, Muensweiller, Germany and Commanding Officer, 220th Medical Detachment, Pirmasens, Germany in 1956 where he was honorably discharged once more. From 1956-1960, Dr. Fletcher established a General Practice in Cincinnati, Oh. and then branched to first year Psychiatry Residency at Brockton Veterans Administration Hospital, Brockton, Mass. from 1960-1961. From 1961-1962 he moved to Boston Veterans Administration Hospital, Boston, Mass for his second year of residency and from 1962-1963 served his third year residency at Court Street Veterans Administration Clinic, Boston, Mass. From 1963-1965, Dr. Fletcher relocated to Togus, Maine and was Staff Psychiatrist till 1965. From 1965-1975, he served as Assistant Superintendent, Taunton State Hospital, Taunton, Mass. From 1975-1976, he was Acting Superintendent, Taunton State Hospital, Taunton, Mass. In 1976, he resigned Taunton State Hospital and accepted Chief of Staff training position at Brockton VA Medical Center. In 1976, Dr. Fletcher relocated to Chillicothe, Oh. where he was Chief of Staff, VA Medical Center. He retired from the Veteran's Administration in 1993. Dr. Fletcher was a member of the National Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, Ohio State Medical Society, Massachusetts State Medical Society and former president of the NAACP, Cincinnati, Oh. He is also a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Preceded in death by father Alfred Tennyson, mother Mary Connely and sister Mae Pittman. Survived by wife, Ethel Watkins; sister, Elizabeth Oxley; sons, Paul Jr. and Karl; daughters, Elaine Washington and Carol (Paul) Jones; grandchildren, Connie Washington, Desiree Walker, Christopher, Mathew, Sean and William Jones; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2001 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 2777 E. Livingston Ave. Rev. Msgr. Edward F. Trenor, Celebrant. Visitation 6-8 p.m. Friday at SCHOEDINGER EAST CHAPEL, 5360 E. Livingston Ave. Entombment St. Joseph Cemetery , Lockbourne, Oh.

Columbus Dispatch, The (OH)
Date: March 8, 2001