Robert A. Evans

1937 - 2018

Rev. Dr. Robert A. Evans died at home on Thursday, January 25 with his wife of 56 years by his side. He was 80. The cause of death was pulmonary fibrosis. Bob was born March 19, 1937 to Joseph and Hazel Evans in El Dorado, KS, the youngest of five sons. He was educated at Yale College and Yale Divinity School, and was awarded a doctorate by Columbia University and Union Seminary. After marriage to Alice F. Evans, Bob began an extraordinary career of both pastoral and academic appointments, including Professor of Theology at Hartford Seminary. Later, he and his wife founded Plowshares Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to the cultivation of peace through nonviolent conflict resolution. Bob worked tirelessly and traveled endlessly across the United States and the world. As a testament to his achievements, he has been honored by organizations and governments in the United States, South America, Asia, and Africa. Bob was the recipient of the 2004 William Sloane Coffin '56 Award for Peace and Justice by Yale Divinity School, and recipient of a 2017 Unitas Distinguished Alumni Award by Union Seminary. In recognition of his contributions towards a peaceful end to the apartheid system in South Africa, he was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Bob and Alice were longtime residents of Simsbury, CT and recently moved to Bloomfield, CT. Bob was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather and his loss will be felt deeply. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Mellinda Yocum (George) of Devon PA, and Judith Smith (James) of Baltimore MD, and his son Allen Evans (Heidi) of Bend OR. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Zachary Yocum, Samantha Yocum, William Yocum, Evan Smith, Jackson Smith, and Tucker Evans. His four brothers preceded him in death. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 3, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2080 Boulevard, West Hartford, CT. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests honoring his memory with contributions to the International Peacemaking Program (IPP) at Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT.