Richard Evans

Richard Paul Evans of Glendale, Arizona passed away July 3, 2023 at the age of 79. He was born July 19, 1943 in Roosevelt, New York to John and Beatrice (Park) Evans, both of whom predeceased him. He was also preceded in death by his wife Patricia Evans, brother John Evans, and sister Carol Thompson. Richard is survived by his daughter Tasha Evans, sons Sam, Brian, and Kenneth Evans, as well as two grandchildren Renae and Dyllan Ridpath. He also leaves behind his extended family and many friends.

Richard grew up in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He became a proud member of the United States Army and served in Germany. He graduated from Wayland Baptist University with a degree in electrical engineering. Richard was living in Ohio when he married Patricia Ann Meister in 1975 and together, they raised their four children. The family moved from Ohio to Arizona in 1985. Richard worked for APS at the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant, but his favorite job was retirement. He was a member of the American Legion and the NRA.

He wasn’t much help in the kitchen, but he could grill a mean steak. He loved to make people laugh with his off-the-wall humor. In his free time, he enjoyed bowling, dancing the jitterbug, and having a beer with friends and family. When his daughter was younger, he would spend time with her horseback riding even though he didn’t really enjoy it. He would also take his sons deer hunting.

Richard was a devout Christian who frequently read the Bible. He was a dedicated family man, whose proudest accomplishments were his family and graduating from college. He could be stubborn and had old fashioned values, but he was also loving and one-of-a-kind. He would bend over backwards for anyone who needed help. People would always say he was a “stand-up guy.” His family always knew how much he cared. He was a constant presence in their lives (like it or not). He made many sacrifices to ensure his family had everything they needed.