Daniel Robert Evans, a photographer, adventurer and good friend to many, passed away April 16 in Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle. He was 64.
A celebration of his life will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
Dan was born Oct. 13, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of John Joseph and Ruth Evans. There his life of adventure and passion began, as he lived life to the fullest. In his younger years, he raced dirt bikes and explored the outdoors. One of his earliest jobs was working in a sawmill.
When it came time for college, Dan chose the smallest town in Alaska with a college: Sitka, home of Sheldon Jackson College. He arrived at 18 and never left.
In Sitka, Dan made many lifelong friends, including Janet Howard. He and Janet shared adventures, including riding bikes from Prince Rupert across Canada to New York. They were married on June 30, 1984.
Always willing to share his knowledge and skills, Dan helped countless members of the community, and inspired many more with his stunning Alaskan wilderness photography. His calendars featuring his photographs were prized by locals and visitors alike; his one for 2027 is being prepared.
Some of his other pastimes included paragliding, skiing, long-distance cycling, fishing, hunting and diving. He explored uncharted areas of the surrounding wilderness and was an accomplished mountaineer – he crossed Baranof Island dozens of times and one time he and Eric Speck hiked the difficult 100-mile length of Baranof, from the north end to Port Alexander.
Besides his photography and calendars, Dan was involved in housing. He owned Evans Construction and was a certified home inspector. He also had worked for Baranof Island Housing Association.
Another, earlier job, working in a forestry program, helped get him interested in photography.
Dan was preceded in death by his father, John Joseph Evans; his brother, John Evans; and his sister, Debbie Evans.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Evans, Sitka; their son Logan and daughter-in-law Stacy, and grandchildren Jade and Micah Evans, all of Anchorage; his mother Ruth Evans and his sister Kathy (Steve) Balm, both of Sun City, Arizona; and brother Tim Evans of Liberty New York.
