Robert James Evans

On April 13, 2024, Robert (Bob) Evans, beloved father, husband, grandfather, brother, son, educator, and coach, passed away after a short, bravely fought battle with cancer.
Robert was born on January 18, 1952, in Calgary, Canada, to John and Dorothea Evans. He was married for 33 years to his love and best friend, Jennifer (Bates) Evans. He is survived by his wife Jenny, son Thomas (Michigan), daughter Lexi (Wisconsin), and daughter Ann (Chris and grandson Matthew) Locker of Sidney, B.C., Canada. He is also survived by his brothers Malcolm (Cindy), Dan (Shelly), Tim (Machin) Evans, and sister Sheila (Mark) Taylor, brothers-in-laws Brad (Michele) Bates and Joel (Maribel) Bates, sister-in-law Suzanne Bates, along with an army of nieces and nephews. His father, John, sister, Heather, father, and mother-in-law, Jim and Barb Bates, and brother-in-law, Brian Bates, preceded him in death.
Robert graduated from Claremont High School in Canada and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in Education, concentrating in Spanish/Social Studies. He taught himself Spanish and spoke it so well that he was often confused with native Spanish speakers, and he tested out of several years of Spanish classes in college. He did missionary work in Central and South America, where he mastered the language. He spent most of his educational career as a consultant helping teachers support students in their classrooms with acquiring the English Language. When he met Jennifer, he was teaching all of the K-5 students in the school who could not speak English (in all languages) in one classroom! They lived in Las Vegas together for 25 years before moving to Michigan in 2011. He always said he was "anti-social," but you would never know that to talk with him. Really, it was that he would just rather spend time with his family.
Robert's unconditional love and support of his family have had a profound and lifelong impact on them. His son grew up to become his best friend, and prior to that, he appreciated spending time with his siblings, in-laws, dogs, and children. He participated in and was entertained by most sports, old movies, playing games, and was an absolute trivia master! He was an excellent runner and was still running three miles a day until he got sick. He thoroughly loved coaching Thomas' hockey teams when he was young and then traveling around the country, oftentimes with his father-in-law, to watch him play as he got older, and then eventually when Thomas started coaching. He enjoyed the many wonderful trips his family took together for hockey trips and Lexi's gymnastics meets, the vacations they enjoyed like houseboat trips to Lake Powel, the cabin at Horn Lake, National Parks, Florida, and Myrtle Beach, visiting family, driving the motorhome and toy haulers around the country, 4-wheeling, and especially boating. Visiting family on Vancouver Island and Michigan was a regular occurrence for many wonderful years. He learned to play golf later in life and was passionate about playing it with his son. His favorite place was the family cottage in Mackinaw, and there was nothing he loved more than spending time with his family. He is greatly missed by all who knew him!
A private celebration will take place at the family cottage in Mackinaw this summer. Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Memorial-Smith Chapel.
If desired, contributions can be made to the Karmanos Cancer Foundation, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI 48201, or online at karmanos.org/giftofhope. Please indicate the gift is in memory of Robert by writing a memo on your check. https://www.karmanos.org/karmanos-foundation/tribute-gifts-karmanos-foundation