LEONARD JESSE EVENDEN

Leonard Jesse Evenden, 87, of West Vancouver, BC, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family on May 22, 2025. Len was soulmate and husband to Polly (née Walters) for 62 years; and a loving father to three children, Kirstin (Chris), Maya (Steven) and Matthew (Kirsty); as well as doting grandfather to Hannah, Ben, Nyssa and Maggie. He was predeceased by his parents, Leonard Daniel Evenden and Elsie Pearl (née March); and his sisters, Eleanor, Patricia and Gwendolyn. He was much loved and will be deeply missed. Born in China in 1937 to Salvation Army missionary parents, he and his family were civilian internees in the Weihsien Camp during the Second World War. Len returned to Canada in 1946 and attended school in St. Catharines and Hamilton, ON. Len had a deep love and appreciation for music and performed trombone in Salvation Army bands, as well as high school and city orchestras. He went on to study geography at McMaster University (BA hons 1960), the University of Georgia (MA 1962) and the University of Edinburgh (PhD 1970). A devoted teacher, mentor, and scholar, he was the first urbanist appointed at Simon Fraser University and taught in the department of geography from 1966 until his retirement in 2002. Len was a specialist in the study of housing and suburban development and a strong advocate for Canadian Studies. A celebration of life will be held at St. Christopher's Church, 1068 Inglewood Ave., West Vancouver, on July 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army or Simon Fraser University in Leonard Evenden's memory. To write a condolence to the family, please visit www.mckenziefuneralservices.com.