From The Enterprise (White Salmon, WA) - 07/03/2002

Robert Clair Evanson, 55, died on July 3, 2002, near Murdock.

He was born on April 15, 1947, in North Hollywood, Calif., to Melvin and Jean Evanson. He graduated from Pasadena High School in 1967. While in the tenth grade, he met Cheryl Howell on a blind date. They were married on March 29, 1969, and recently celebrated 33 years of marriage.

In 1968, Mr. Evanson joined the Army. He was a Special Forces medic during Viet Nam, and the Special Forces remained dear to him throughout his life. After the war, he returned to Sierra Madre, Calif. He later lived in Medford, Ore., and West Salem, Ohio, where he attended the police academy in Wooster, Ohio. The family returned to California in 1977, where he worked for the Department of Defense. He also worked parttime for the Sacramento Police Department for 10 years. He was currently employed at The Dalles Dam.

Mr. Evanson had always wanted to retire in the Columbia River Gorge area, and he and his wife had moved from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Maria, Calif., to White Salmon in June of this year.

Mr. Evanson's passion was photography. He loved nature and wildlife. He was a loving husband and father.

Surviving Mr. Evanson are his wife Cheryl, White Salmon; daughter Kimberly Evanson and son Ryan Evanson, both of Sacramento; mother-in-law Pearl Strock, White Salmon; and brother from Vallejo, Calif.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday, July 9, 2002.

Gardner Funeral Home in White Salmon was in charge of arrangements.