Evans, Dr. David K.

January 23, 1933 - July 30, 2022

EVANS, Dr. David K., of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, passed away at home on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at the age of 89. Dr. Evans was born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was a graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans and earned his doctoral degree from the University of California at Berkeley.

After graduating from Tulane, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy and served his country from 1957 â€" 1959, including on the USS Carpenter, until he was honorably discharged following an injury on a destroyer in the South Pacific, taking him to Pearl Harbor Naval Medical Center. His subsequent travels in Europe, most of which were accomplished on a bicycle, led him to Frankfurt, Germany where he would cross paths with his wife, Renate, to whom he was married for 61 years. In 1966, after earning his PhD in anthropology from U.C. Berkeley, he joined the faculty of Wake Forest University where he taught anthropology for 35 years. In 1967, Dr. Evans founded Wake Forest University's Overseas Research Center and Ethnographic Field School, and for many years led field research trips to Venezuela, Scotland, England, Belize, Costa Rica, Saba Island, Netherland Antilles, Roatan Island, Honduras, and myriad other locations around the world. Dr. Evans published numerous scholarly articles, lectured extensively internationally, and wrote two novels. During his tenure at Wake Forest, in 1971, he was awarded the first Reid-Doyle Award for Excellence in Teaching, an apropos distinction as he would go on to positively touch the lives of innumerable Wake Forest students, driving his beloved Land Rover, Agnus, around campus as he went. Dr. Evans retired from Wake Forest, as professor emeritus of anthropology, in 2001. He truly loved teaching.

Much beyond his impressive resume, he was a dearly loved friend to many, dad, husband, and papa. He was known for his quick wit, sarcasm, love of animals, tendency to dream big, fascination with human nature, and, above all, his kindness to every, single person he came across.

Dr. Evans was preceded in death by his parents, George O. and Ruby L. Evans; a brother, George O. Evans, Jr. ; and a sister, Charlene Evans Gardner. He is survived by his wife, Renate Gehlich Evans, whom he married in 1961. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter Amber Evans Bishop (Tyler) of Richmond, Virginia; and his two granddaughters, Blythe Lee Bishop and Ruby Tyler Bishop. We love you, dad, and we always will, even, to use your words, when we are all just cosmic dust.

Funeral arrangements are private.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider donating to Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption (www.cara-nc.org) in David's name.

Affordable Cremations, Director: Leigh Armentrout, 336-831-0058

2901 Lyndhurst Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27103

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Winston-Salem Journal from Aug. 3 to Aug. 4, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for David Evans

Sponsored by Affordable Cremations of Winston-Salem.

16 Entries

Jim Taylor

April 7, 2025

I am so sorry to just learn of Dr. Evans (or has he told us when we went to Honduras - call me David, NOT Dr. Evans - they'll think I'm a medical doctor!). I have fond memories of our study trip in January of 1978 to Roatan Island. I had gotten in touch with Dr. Evan's back a few years ago (2018 or 2019), then lost touch again. I was searching the internet to see if I could find him to tell him I was headed to Roatan again in January of 2026 after 48 years! I'm sad to learn he is gone. He was a wonderful professor and a great man as well. God speed, David.

Tye Van Buren

December 2, 2024

52 years ago I had the good luck having Dr Evans for introductory anthropology. Blew my mind. The next semester, I signed up for cultural anthropology. What an experience in dialogue about human nature and evolutionary development. One of the most impactful courses I've ever had. Bravo sir. What a great teacher in the broadest sense. Our conversations are with me to this day.

Sherry Funke

June 23, 2023

Dr. Evans was my major professor; I graduated from WFU in 1976. During my first advising appointment he made clear to me the proper German way to pronounce my last name and continued to pronounce it that way through my senior year! Unfortunately I did not get to take a trip with him to Central America since I took a Venice semester. I have thought of Dr. Evans often since graduation- he was a wonderful advisor.

Damika Hall Brown

February 27, 2023

Dr. Evans was my client for many years when I lived in NC. I was his insurance agent. I always loved our phone conversations and visits as well as with his beautiful wife Renate. I am just learning of his death ( I know live in GA since 2014) and I am sad because this world just lost an amazing human being that was kind to all! I loved his humor and sarcasm. Renate and family I express my deepest sympathy and prayers. I still have his book to this day displayed proudly in NY office!

Ron Thompson

October 29, 2022

David was a friend and advisor who I will always treasure and remember. We were neighbors on Roatan and he guided me through island life. I had the honor of helping him edit both of his novels, copies of which I still cherish. David, you were truly a special man.

Lauren Hayes

August 31, 2022

Lauren Hayes

August 31, 2022

Lauren Hayes

August 31, 2022

Here are some more photos from one of Dr. Evans field school trips and the sculpture of Dr. Evans that we commissioned and the artist who made it.

Lauren Hayes

August 26, 2022

Lauren Hayes

August 26, 2022

Lauren Hayes

August 26, 2022

Dr. Evans was and incredible teacher of Anthropology. I met him when he bravely took a group of freshman students who had hardly traveled on an international trip to Roatan and the Bay Islands of Honduras for a field school. This first trip was my introduction to anthropological fieldwork. He was my mentor as a pursued an honor´s thesis related to social change and duppy (ghost) stories and was quick to explore new places, figuring out ways for students to get there by car, foot, or boat! I returned the next summer as an assistant for the school and some years later for master´s research on women and microfinance, when Dr. Evans offered up the Overseas Research Center for me to stay. The center was truly a special location for a field school. He´d planted fruit trees all over the property and the house was filled with furniture made by a talented local friend of his. We´d spend time as students picking bananas and papayas for our breakfast and he´d send us searching for the hideaway in each piece of furniture.

These experiences and the discussions that I had with him as an undergraduate and graduate student shaped in many ways how I teach and think about Anthropology and research today as a professor in the field. He was a master storyteller-both of his own stories and those of others. I´m not surprised that he wrote two captivating novels. I recall one story about him starting up a small entrepreneurial business as a child (maybe he was 12 or 13?) - he used his dingy boat to earn money taking sailors from their ship to the mainland in Norfolk and back again for a night out.

His sarcasm was legendary among the students he taught and when you were able to keep up he was delighted. The only time I ever saw him speechless, was when as a field school group, we commissioned an artist from Roatan named Melvin to create a wooden bust carving of him as a gift. We used the photo of him from the back of the Judasbird book as a model and it turned out to be quite the likeness. I think he had no idea what to make of it!

I spent a number of years living in various places, but am glad that I was able to return to visit him at his house in North Carolina with my husband while working on my PhD about 8 years ago. I´m so saddened to hear this news and send love to his family. I will always think fondly of him and will smile when I think of him traveling on to new adventures.

In the photos is the ORC house, and Dr. Evans with a friend, Mr. Lee from St. Helene. Couldn't find one of a whole field school group!

Alida Bates

August 9, 2022

Our condolences to all of you. Had the pleasure In meeting him in our beautiful Island of Roatán. I have his books , that he kindly signed. Prayers and condolences.

Bill Wells

August 5, 2022

Dr. Evans was a great teacher. I took his introductory course my first semester at Wake Forest, and then took Latin America the next semester. I learned a lot about human nature, as well as how humans adapt to their natural surroundings. Thank you, Dr. Evans!

Tammy Smith

August 3, 2022

David was my professor and mentor at Wake Forest in the late sixties and early seventies. He opened up the world for me by including me on several of his research trips to Central America. He was one of the greatest influences in my life.

Jorge Font

August 3, 2022

Dr. Evans, you were one of the biggest influencers in my life from my time spent with you as a WFU sophomore in Roatan in 1978 and seeing you not just as a professor, but as a loving husband to your wife and father to little Amber. Hearing your sailing and other adventures inspired me greatly. Reconnecting with you a few years ago to get recommendations for my return to Roatan was special and brought back many memories. I raise a glass to you sir for a long, well-lived life and to your beautiful family, that they may cherish so many wonderful memories for generations to come.

Wanda Brown

August 3, 2022

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope the memories of better times together will sustain in the difficult days ahead. Please let me know If I may assist you in any way. Much love to you and your family.

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