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Gary Richard Evans
Herndon, Virginia
August 2, 1941 - April 23, 2025
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Gary Richard Evans Obituary
August 2, 1941 – April 23, 2025
Gary Richard Evans spent his life moving between worlds — scientist and cowboy, scholar and outdoorsman, family man and relentless explorer. He was born on August 2, 1941, in Twin Falls, Idaho, and passed away peacefully at home in Potomac Falls, Virginia, after a long illness. His daughters were at his side, each holding one of his hands. He was 83.
Gary built a life that reflected both where he came from and where he wanted the world to go.
He earned his BS and MS from the University of Idaho, a PhD from Colorado State University, and attended the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. He worked for the Department of Agriculture, led the Global Climate Change Office in the 1990s — long before the world fully understood the stakes — and later created one of the first online Natural Resources programs at Virginia Tech. His work took him across the globe, helping developing countries steward their soil and rangeland, bringing science and humility to every conversation.
Though he had many, Gary was not defined by titles or credentials. To those who knew him, he was a cowboy at heart, a skier who loved the mountains, a bicyclist who could ride for hours, a tennis player who relished a good rally.
He was the original “Girl Dad” long before the phrase existed — leading his family on cross-country moves, rain-soaked camping trips, and hiking adventures through dozens of National Parks. No place was too remote, no trail too rugged. And if there happened to be a bog or a swamp along the way, even better — Gary made every obstacle an experiment, every misadventure a memory – even more so when be became “Papa” - building science experiments in the backyard and hiking trails in the rain with his raucous pack of grandkids.
He and his wife, Sandra Hill Evans, traveled the globe — from Geneva to Manila, Moscow to Melbourne — but Idaho was always a piece of home stitched into his heart. Together they built a life full of curiosity, resilience, and devotion, spanning nearly six decades of marriage.
He is survived by his daughters, Colleen Evans Patton (Justin) of Potomac Falls, VA, and Kerri Evans Haiss (Michael) of Warrenton, VA; and his four grandchildren — Nicholas, Grant, Morgan, and Brandon. He is also survived by his brother, William C. Evans (Julie) of Denver, CO, and his niece Ann Corson (Don). He was preceded in death by his wife Sandra, his nephew Patrick Evans and his faithful dog, Jack.
A funeral service will be held May 16 at 11 a.m. at Fairfax United Methodist Church, Stratford Lane, Fairfax, VA. Visitation will begin one hour prior. Interment will immediately follow at Fairfax Memorial Park, Braddock Road.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), in honor of Gary’s enduring spirit — a reminder that even as memory fades, love remains.
Gary lived the way he taught: leave things better than you found them.
In the end, he did just that — for his family, for his students, for the land, and for the world.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Gary, please visit our Tree Store.
August 2, 1941 – April 23, 2025
Gary Richard Evans spent his life moving between worlds — scientist and cowboy, scholar and outdoorsman, family man and relentless explorer. He was born on August 2, 1941, in Twin Falls, Idaho, and passed away peacefully at home in Potomac Falls, Virginia, after a long illness. His daughters were at his side, each holding one of his hands. He was 83.
Gary built a life that reflected both where he came from and where he wanted the world to go.
He earned his BS and MS from the University of Idaho, a PhD from Colorado State University, and attended the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. He worked for the Department of Agriculture, led the Global Climate Change Office in the 1990s — long before the world fully understood the stakes — and later created one of the first online Natural Resources programs at Virginia Tech. His work took him across the globe, helping developing countries steward their soil and rangeland, bringing science and humility to every conversation.
Though he had many, Gary was not defined by titles or credentials. To those who knew him, he was a cowboy at heart, a skier who loved the mountains, a bicyclist who could ride for hours, a tennis player who relished a good rally.
He was the original “Girl Dad” long before the phrase existed — leading his family on cross-country moves, rain-soaked camping trips, and hiking adventures through dozens of National Parks. No place was too remote, no trail too rugged. And if there happened to be a bog or a swamp along the way, even better — Gary made every obstacle an experiment, every misadventure a memory – even more so when be became “Papa” - building science experiments in the backyard and hiking trails in the rain with his raucous pack of grandkids.
He and his wife, Sandra Hill Evans, traveled the globe — from Geneva to Manila, Moscow to Melbourne — but Idaho was always a piece of home stitched into his heart. Together they built a life full of curiosity, resilience, and devotion, spanning nearly six decades of marriage.
He is survived by his daughters, Colleen Evans Patton (Justin) of Potomac Falls, VA, and Kerri Evans Haiss (Michael) of Warrenton, VA; and his four grandchildren — Nicholas, Grant, Morgan, and Brandon. He is also survived by his brother, William C. Evans (Julie) of Denver, CO, and his niece Ann Corson (Don). He was preceded in death by his wife Sandra, his nephew Patrick Evans and his faithful dog, Jack.
A funeral service will be held May 16 at 11 a.m. at Fairfax United Methodist Church, Stratford Lane, Fairfax, VA. Visitation will begin one hour prior. Interment will immediately follow at Fairfax Memorial Park, Braddock Road.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), in honor of Gary’s enduring spirit — a reminder that even as memory fades, love remains.
Gary lived the way he taught: leave things better than you found them.
In the end, he did just that — for his family, for his students, for the land, and for the world.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Gary, please visit our Tree Store.