Richard Allen Evans

1934 - 2022

Richard Allen Evans
September 3, 1944 - March 22, 2022
San Clemente, California - Rich Evans passed away on March 22, 2022, after a nice visit with two of his children. We think his last words were "You Bet". Rich was a gentleman with intelligence and wit... and a penchant for corny humor and puns, and was still cracking jokes on the night he died.
Richard Alan Evans was born in Los Angeles on September 3rd, 1934, to Rudolph Albert Evans and Grace Anderson Evans. Having been told his was a particularly hard labor, he always took credit for helping create a national holiday.
Rich and his younger brother Jerry grew up in Alhambra. They remained best friends throughout their lives. His parents having lived through the Great Depression, Rich wasn't a big tipper but always added a few copper coins, calling them "Pennies from Evans" When asked about money, he would reply, 'I've been Rich my whole life."
Rich was an Eagle Scout and was very proud of this fine accomplishment. Only 4% of scouts ever make it to the highest rank of Eagle. He forever kept his Boy Scout sash filled with Merit Badges and the Eagle Scout Medal.
While dating his first wife, Dianne Herring, Rich forgot the Boy Scout Motto and begat their son, Richard Alan Evans, Jr. Daughters Deborah Lynne Evans (Warkentien) Carrie Dianne Evans (Gordon) and Mary Beth Evans (Schwartz) arrived in quick succession.
Rich was a mathematical whiz. He attended Pomona College where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in math and then earned his Engineering Degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. His children were absolutely crushed when they learned he didn't drive trains.
Being a Pomona College Sagehen left a lasting impression. Listening to the Pomona College Men's Blue and White sing Torchbearers always brought a simile to his face and a tear to his eye. Rich loved classical music and played flute in the Pomona College Orchestra. He would say he was a flautist, like a normal musician but way cooler. Whenever one of the kids did something terrific, he would quote Cecil the Sagehen with a big "Chirp:"
Rich was also an amazing philatelist. He prized his voluminous collection and was always pushing the envelope. He loved jigsaw puzzles and there was always one in the works on the dining room table. As gifts, friends and family would try to find more and more challenging ones for him. Like the close-up of Red Riding Hood's Hood, or one covered in prisms and mirrors. But when one was made from a picture of his face, he just looked puzzled.
Rich was a scratch bowler, regularly in the mid 200's. He competed in and placed in several California State Championships. His children spent Thursday nights watching him bowl, having been bribed with Milk Duds and Hot Tamales. Was thinking of a bowling pun, but thought we'd spare you. He was also an avid golfer. He stayed fit by walking every course. Rich played golf with mathematical precision and would "help" by correcting your swing - no ifs, ands or putts. Rich was also an accomplished tennis player. He would let his kids shag balls during the tournaments, but they had to quit. He said they made too much of a racket.
Rich married his second wife, Mary Karacsony, in January, 1970. She was Hungarian and her last name translates to "Christmas". So it was fitting that on December 25, 1969, he announced he was going to "Marry Christmas:" She brought to our family her twin sons, Erwin and Gabor Lazar and were happily married over 30 years.
Rich was especially proud to be a member of ASHRAE; serving as its president from 1991 to 92. Attending a few conferences with Rich you 'd learn this group of heating, refrigeration and air conditioning engineers knew how to have fun. They wore pocket protectors in their shirts and slide rules on their belts.
He was also a ballroom dancer and a self proclaimed "wine common sewer".
Rich was active in the Republican Party. He enlisted the whole family to spend summer vacations stuffing envelopes at the campaign headquarters. He instructed his bank to have printed in bold above his name on his checks "America is a Republic, not a Democracy, let's keep it that way". Once, when asked by Andy Williams, what song she wanted to hear, his 2 year old daughter yelled out "Goldwater, Goldwater, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!" The rest of the family was hoping for Moon River.
Riding in a car with Rich driving was thrilling. He didn't believe in brakes. He drove by math, calculating velocity of MPH with the degree of the mountain curve or the angle of the right turn in the city, often resulting in little green faces in the back seat. It has been suggested that some of this research may have been used by Tesla.
After Maria passed away, Rich was blessed to find Susan Brown, whom he married while in their retirement years. Sue brought to our family her daughter Michelle Brown Murphy who completed his collection of Children. Rich relished his role as GrandDad to Sarah, Kelsey, Danny, Katie, Matthew, Hunter, Cole, Gracie, James, Rachel and Hayden and hoped that he taught at least one of them to enjoy "Dad Jokes". Left with decades of fond memories are his four nieces and nephews, Mark, Scott, Lisa and Julie.
Rich spent the first half of his career in Orange County, California, working in the aerospace industry. The second half of his career was spent in Richland, Washington, where he worked at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. While explaining the difference between fission and fusion, he was practically glowing
Please, no flowers. The family is seeking donations to offset the expense of publishing this exceedingly long obituary, which they hope he' d have enjoyed. If you still haven't been dissuaded, and you feel compelled to spend your hard-earned money to honor his memory, please consider donating to help the people of Ukraine. Recalling Maria 's telling of harrowing events from her time in and her 1956 escape from Russian ruled Hungary, made him especially concerned for what is happening now in Ukraine. Rich was a lifelong believer in liberty.
Rich did not want a memorial service, but we invite you to share a Rich Story. To share a memory of Rich or send a condolence to his family, please visit the Obituaries tab at www.lesneskimortuary.com located in San Clemente, California.