Cobre Tire founder Bob Fletcher dies at age 100
Photo provided by family
Robert L. Fletcher, founder and owner of Cobre Tire Co., died Dec. 6 at age 100.
PEORIA, Ariz. Robert L. Fletcher, founder and owner of Cobre Tire Co., died Dec. 6 at age 100.
A native of Phoenix, decorated World War II veteran and serial entrepreneur, Mr. Fletcher in 1970 founded Cobre Tire, a commercial tire dealership and retreading concern focused on the mining and construction industries.
Mr. Fletcher sold the business s commercial assets, which had grown to 33 outlets and several retreading plants, in 1997 to Bridgestone Firestone Inc.
Along the way, he set up Fletcher Racing Team, in part to help promote Cobre Tire. The racing team was active in Indy Car racing from 1973-1982, running cars at the Indianapolis 500 and other venues for racers such as Bobby Unser, Pancho Carter, Art Pollard and Lee Kunzman, among others.