R. Fletcher Lance Jr.

R. Fletcher Lance Jr.

Robert Fletcher Lance Jr. passed away at the young age of 55 on June 9, 2021, when his heart stopped suddenly without any pain, fear, or suffering. On his last day with us, Fletcher was able to be 20 again, laughing and having fun with a houseful of his son's college teammates and friends. His joy was great on the day he was taken from us far too soon.

Fletcher was born November 10, 1965, in Nashville. He attended Oak Hill School, Montgomery Bell Academy ('84), Vanderbilt University ('89), and the Executive MBA Program at Vanderbilt's Owen Business School ('95). Fletcher was the only child of Bobby and Lyde Ella Lance, who both predeceased him. He was the pride of their lives.

Fletcher is the one true love for his wife Diane Lance and an absolute all-star father of his two college-age children, Samantha and Sims.

In addition to his home life, Fletcher was also an all-star on the tennis court. He was a 4-year letterman on the MBA varsity team and earned an athletic scholarship to Vanderbilt University. Playing for Coach Bill Tym, Fletcher was a 4-year letterman and helped Vanderbilt achieve its first national ranking. After college Fletcher went on to win the Tennessee State Pro Doubles Title across three decades.

As his friends know, Fletcher graduated from Vanderbilt with high academic honors;) and upon graduation, Fletcher and Diane moved to San Diego, California to begin their life together. Their years on the beach were filled with adventure, freedom, discovery, big waves, long days, and perfect weather. This experience remained the foundation for all that came next when Fletcher and Diane returned to Nashville, received graduate degrees, got married, found careers, and passionately raised their two amazing children.

Fletcher had a spectacular business career in Nashville accomplished through hard work, relationships, positive outlook, determination, and focus. The highlights of his career included COO of Qualifacts Systems Inc. (2000-2005), Managing Director and Global Healthcare Leader for North Highland Consulting (2005-2017), and Executive Vice President for Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Health Professional Solutions (2017-2021). Most recently, Fletcher proudly became the CEO of the Hardenbergh Group, allowing him to work side-by-side with his close friend and neighbor, Pryor Smartt.

To know Fletcher was to be seen, remembered, and valued. He had an innate mentorship ability about him; his life's mission was to develop and share the gifts God gave him with the people he loved and who loved him.

It is quite certain Fletcher had no idea his life would be cut shorter than most, but it was a life nevertheless truly rich in character, humility, love, and devotion. We love you, Fletcher, and we pray you are at peace knowing that you did an amazing job leaving your wife deeply loved and secure, your children capable and strong, your parents proud, your friends cherished, and the world a much better place. "Hero" is now the last word to be given.

As a man thoroughly against wearing a coat and tie in the summer, please celebrate his memory by wearing what is comfortable and leave your coat and tie at home as you join his friends and family in the celebration of his life at St. George's Episcopal Church on Friday, June 18, at 2:00pm. A reception in his honor will follow at the Belle Meade Country Club from 3-5pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Fletcher's name to

oceancleanup.com. Fletcher's loving hands spent countless hours protecting sea life and keeping our beaches beautiful by picking up trash every single time he walked on the beach