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William Evans Obituary
October 11, 1930 – October 12, 2010
Dr. Bill Evans, PhD, 80, of College Station passed away on Tuesday, October 12, 2010, at St. Joseph Regional Health Center. A memorial ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, October 15, at Christ Methodist Church in College Station. The Rev. Jerry House and Tommy Myrick will officiate.
Dr. Evans is a world-renowned marine mammal acoustician and ecologist. He was one of the first scientists to work with the United States Navy's Marine Mammal Program in the 1960s. During his 10 years with the program, his primary area of research was marine mammal communication and echolocation. The result was a special research platform for recording and observing dolphins underwater called "Sea See."
He went on to be the head of the Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute in San Diego and continued his remote sensing studies and their use in oceanography. Before leaving federal services, he was the presidentially-appointed chairman of the Marine Mammal Commission, promoted to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association associate administrator for Fisheries, followed by his appointment as the U.S. commissioner to the International Whaling Commission and Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (NOAA).
He recognized the need for science majors to have a university-level course focusing environmental policy and management, and taught such a course at Texas A&M University for 10 years. He was adjunct professor of biology at the University of Notre Dame.
He retired as managing editor of American Midland Naturalist after finishing the journal's centennial issues. His most recent research has concentrated on the study of the history of international environmental policy and how it affects the conservation of threatened and endangered species.
Dr. Evans is the author of several books, the most recent (2008) being an autobiography, 50 Years of Flukes and Flippers. He was named an Outstanding Alumnus for BGSU in 1985 and received an honorary doctorate of public service form BGSU in 1988.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Justus Robert and Florence Martin Evans.
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Jean Evans; sons and daughters-in-law, Jon A. and Carylon Evans of Hespena, Calif., and Tim J., DVM, and Debora, of Columbia, Mo.; grandchildren, Andreya Evans, Courtney Evans, Kelsey Evans, Kendall Evans and Will Evans; and one great-grandson, Connor Summers.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to; in memory of Bill to the BGSU Foundation, memo line: Marine-lab Bill Evans Memorial, Mileti Alumni Center, Bowling Green, Ohio, 43403.
Please view and sign the guestbook at www.hillierfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Evans
Cynthia Stong
October 10, 2023
On Sept 22 nd, I spoke at the 60th Anniversary of the Marine Lab I founded 60 years ago at Bowling Green State Unniversary.I remembered Dr Evans with several visuals...photo slides and what a great supporter he had been to the lab and my career. He is in my thoughts daily..I miss him!
Cynthia Stong
October 10, 2022
I think daily about my great mentor Dr.Bill Evans and his helpfulness to me when the Biology Dept had to decide to keep the marine laboratory I started at BGSU. We will be celebrating the 60th Anniversary next fall 2023 ie 1963 --2023! Love you my guardian Angel!!!
Cynthia Stong
October 10, 2019
My original statement still stands;but I think of Dr. Bill every day because I am still involved in something related to my Bowling Green Marine Laboratory every day even though I am retired. That was a long sentence! Bill was an alumnus of Bowling Green State University (Ohio) and kept track of my founding the Marine Laboratory there. In my later years, he helped me obtain a National Science Foundation grant which was the final item which convinced the department to continue funding the Marine Lab and the marine biology courses I had developed. So I always will remember Dr. Bill as my "guardian angel" and have missed him these years.
Marietta Hendricks
October 18, 2010
Dear Phyllis,
I was surprised when I received the email informing me of Dr. Evans departure from this life. I was overcome for a moment with sadness about his passing, but realizing that Dr. Evans had celebrated his 80th birthday, I remembered Psalm 90:10,12 [KJV]: “¹ºThe days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. ¹²So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Phyllis I begin to think about my friendship with the two of you and I begin to reminisce of how that friendship came to be. I am now four years enjoying my retirement as a federal government employee but I remember how Dr. Evans was a God sent presence in my life from the time of our meeting, throughout our work tenure and continuous. I sincerely thank God for the two of you and for the great memories I have of my tenure serving Dr. Evans administratively during his tenure as Assistant Administrator for NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service and as NOAA’s Under Secretary. I remember the words of wisdom he spoke to me that are still a lifeline that propels me into successful and victorious results. I am rejoicing in my spirit that Dr. Evans longevity corresponds to that promised by God as mentioned in scripture earlier. Rudy sends his condolences and we both are believing that GOD is strengthening and keeping you daily, and comforting you as often as you need to be comforted – through a touch, a smile, a kind word, a glance, a visitor, a phone call, a letter or a note, your awareness of a gentle and quiet presence, an act of kindness of family and friends and the memories of the life you had and shared with Dr. Evans, your covenant partner. Feel God’s love and his presence embracing you. Phyllis we care! Thoughtfully, respectfully, and prayerfully,
Gary Sharp
October 17, 2010
Dear Phyllis, Tim and Jon,
More than 40 years of fins, flippers, feathers fur and Fun - shared with Bill and all of you -
All those trips to sea, meetings and agency madness never quite summed up to what we all shared via our little ranchitos - and as we became ever closer, the lamb roasts and sharing with friends - Before I went to Rome -
Eventually after I got back from Rome, and back under my own control, in 1986 Bill called me - and asked if I would be his Advisor at NOAA NMFS - or he would not take the Job - I was a bit lost for words...
I greed, as long as I did not have to be an agency employee - only 'under contract' - as it is very hard (not possible) to change broken systems from within - and I had many other tasks those years - often far away from the USA.
Well, we worked it out, and Tried Our Best to get a realistic Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management implemented. We had all seven of the Regional Management Body's Plans in hand - - and were both disappointed by Politicians Inaction, and on we went.
Fortunately for TAMU and U Notre Dame, he was able to continue inspiring the next generations -
Those of us who worked with Bill have a strong sense of his dedication and powerful perspectives on so many issues - and his ability to open pathways never before traveled.
Know that he will never be forgotten - and that -
I, particularly, feel as I have lost my 'older' wiser Brother.
I have and will always cherish all of my memories of my interactions with you - the wonderful Evans family - sharing those visions and goals - then getting out there - and doing the right things.
Peace and Love - & Hugs...
October 16, 2010
Oct.16,2010. Ever since I started the BGSU Marine Lab in 1963, Bill had been keeping track via the alumni news. Finally when we met, he invited me to spend my sabbatical in 1984 at Hubbs-SeaWorld. He said to me:"stop playing with your students & do something big for the Marine Lab". This changed my life! He encouraged me & I obtained a prestigious NSF teacher enhancement grant which then made the Marine Lab & program of courses all the more prominent. Because of his mentorship, I was able to strengthen the Marine Lab & see the Lab and courses continued after my retirement. I consider Bill my champion and guardian angel. I will miss him way too much! Love, Cindy Stong,retired in Key Colony Beach, Fl
Caryn Self-Sullivan
October 15, 2010
Dearest Phyllis,
I am extremely saddened to hear of Dr. Bill's passing this afternoon. I've always considered you both part of my extended family, always taking care of me when I needed it most. May your grief soon fade, leaving only wonderful memories of an extraordinary life together. I know Dr. Bill's memory will live on through the hundreds of marine scientists he has mentored over the years. Please reach out to me if there is anything I can do to help you from afar. Love, Caryn
Conrad Lautenbacher
October 15, 2010
Having the honor of sharing the distinction with Bill of being a former NOAA Administrator and Under Secretary of Commerce, I express both my sympathy to his family and my appreciation for all he did to further marine science and fisheries management for this nation and the world. He was indeed a delightful person as well and I very much enjoyed and benefitted from my conversations with him during my tenure. With greatest respect and sympathy,
Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr. Vice Admiral, USN retired
Neva Hargreaves
October 15, 2010
Phyllis: I'm so grateful to have shared that dinner with you and Bill before you left South Bend. He was a great guy. We always had fun.
Robert Owen
October 15, 2010
Bill, thanks for many good memories, your wit, and your grace. You are loved
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