David Howard Evans

David H. Evans, a lifelong Mets fan with strong loyalty to the Washington Nationals, first arrived at home plate in Huntington, Long Island, New York on March 10, 1953. The son of Bruce H. Evans and Eleanor Ershler Evans. Upon arriving home, he quickly bonded with his older brother and teammate, Peter M. Evans. In an early manifestation of the strong bonds between the brothers, Dave teamed up with his older brother to lobby their parents for a puppy. This effort was unsuccessful, but they were rewarded with a little brother, Jonathan Ershler Evans, instead. The disappointment at not getting a puppy eventually dissolved and Jon was accepted as a full member of the team. The boys relocated to Columbus, Ohio, with their mother, and Dave began 7th grade at Johnson Park Jr. High School in Columbus. It was in Columbus that Dave developed friendships and associations that would last a lifetime. His friendships with Paul Moke and Dan and Mick Storck would be an important part of his life forever. It was fitting that life brought both Dave and Dan to Alexandria, Virginia, where together they would raise their families and serve their communities. Dave attended Eastmoor High School in Columbus, where he played football with two-time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin. Dave achieved his highest athletic recognition when his mother refused to let him play a game on Yom Kippur. If Sandy Koufax could refuse to pitch in the World Series, he could sit out one game, his mother would tell him. However, it was this refusal to play that led to his moment of sports fame. His coach tried to get the day of the game changed but the opposing coach of Lancaster H.S. refused. The controversy made the papers and was talked about all week in the Columbus Dispatch sports section. The matchup between these two undefeated teams would take place without the participation of Offensive Lineman Dave Evans and his absence was clearly felt. Eastmoor lost their only game of the season and it became the only game in which Archie Griffin would fail to run for over 100 yards in his high school career. It was not possible without his dependable guard leading the way. Dave attended college at Miami University of Ohio, where he received his training as a CPA and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. More importantly, it was at Miami University where he would meet the love of his life, Teresa Burnau. They were wed on May 24, 1981. Dave received his CPA Certificate from the State of Ohio and was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Throughout his CPA career he had extensive experience related to restaurant management, real estate development, and retail operations. This experience provided the foundation for what was to become his life’s work. Dave was the co-founder of La Prima Food Group Inc. (originally 1001 Restaurant Corporation), along with his partner Chuck Manfredonia, where he served as President and CEO. In keeping with his commitment to simply doing the right thing, the company became the highest rated eco-caterer in the region. Dave built his business based on ethical capitalism: he believed that anyone who worked in his company should earn a living wage, have quality health care for their entire family, and have the opportunity to grow and advance. It is for this reason that he maintained a dedicated and loyal workforce, many of whom stayed with him for 20 to 30 years, a record unheard of in the food service industry. Dave’s commitment to doing the right, correct, and responsible thing continued with his community involvement. Most recently he served as co-chair of United Community, an organization dedicated to providing housing and support services to underserved communities in the area. In recent months Dave worked tirelessly on the increased need for food banks and other services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic also focused his efforts in assisting over 130 of his employees who were now out of work. These were the efforts that occupied all of his time these past several months. Dave loved mountains, cycling, watermelon, baseball, football, fishing, hiking, and most of all his girls. Teresa could not remain the only woman in his life. Dave leaves behind his wonderful daughters: Elizabeth Evans and fiancé Brent Helt; Margaret Evans Brown and husband Kevin Brown; youngest daughter--and BFF--Madeline Evans; and Rosa Sancarlo of Trento, Italy, who became another daughter and sister after living with the Evans family as an exchange student. More recently another young lady came into his life, his granddaughter Eleanor Brown. This tiny young lady would reduce this active executive CEO to spending his afternoons on his office floor playing with building blocks, doing puzzles, and reading stories. Dave’s final years were a blessing filled with his joy and love for his granddaughter. In addition to his girls, Dave leaves behind a sister Leslie Evans Ziegler of Roscoe, MT, and her husband, Dr. Vincent Ziegler (of blessed memory), and their sons, Jonathan Ziegler and Michael Ziegler and his wife Rachael Ziegler, and their children, Brooklynn Ziegler, River Ziegler and Rowan Ziegler. He leaves behind his brother, Judge Peter M. Evans, his wife, Deborah Evans, of Wellington, Florida, together with their son, Benjamin Evans, and his fiancée, Melissa Ellington. He leaves behind his brother, Jonathan E. Evans, his wife, Marilyn Evans, of Beachwood, Ohio, together with their daughters, Emily Evans and Erin Evans. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to United Community at www.unitedcommunity.org.