Tamela Rich

Robert Emmett Fletcher Jr. was an American agricultural inspector who quit his job to manage fruit farms of Japanese families sent to internment camps during WW2. Upon learning about the looming relocation of Japanese farmers in his area, Fletcher grew concerned. This led to the Tsukamoto family, who owned a grape ranch in Florin near Sacramento, proposing that he take care of their farm while they were away. They offered him their home and all net profits from the crops (though Fletcher would only take half) after covering farming costs, mortgages, and taxes. Two other families, the Okamotos and Nittas, also proposed similar arrangements. Deciding to leave his inspector job, Fletcher took on the responsibility of managing all three farms. Single-handedly farming three farms meant 18-hour days and endless work. Fletcher saw his task as caretaking, so instead of living in the Tsukamotos' home, he lived in the bunkhouse meant for migrant workers. His decision did not go down well with some local white farmers, who thought their Japanese counterparts should forfeit their properties. Despite threats, Fletcher carried on, committed to his newfound responsibility. When the families returned home in the fall of 1945, their farms and homes were intact—the Tsukamotos' home had even been cleaned by Fletcher's wife Teresa—and half of the profits were waiting for them.