David Evans Obituary

David Cheney Evans passed away at the age of 81 on June 2nd. David was born on March 25th, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois where he spent his early years. His family then moved to Kansas where he spent most of his childhood and adulthood. He spent his professional career building GouldEvans Architects. He had a strong passion for photography, adventurous travel, and cooking. His later years were spent back in Lawrence with his two daughters and three granddaughters.

He is survived by his beloved younger brother Daniel and wife, Chris. His oldest daughter, Whitney Lang (husband, Mark, and granddaughters Amelia and Juliet) and youngest daughter Merrill Evans (partner Mathew and granddaughter Vivian). Nieces, Caitlin and Sarah. As well as extended family and friends.

David graduated from Topeka High School in 1962. He graduated from The University of Kansas in 1967 with his Bachelor of Architecture. Per his personal memoir "My Journey: Looking Back." He shared "the two most significant KU events were meeting Bob Gould and Ann Kaiser." David and Ann Evans were married in 1969 and spent nearly three decades together.

He served in the Army National Guard from 1970 - 1974 providing medical services. Throughout the 1970's David traveled and lived in Boston, MA, Albany, NY, and received his Master's in Economics from The University of London.

Founding and growing GouldEvans, along with his business partner Bob Gould and many other talented colleagues, was an immense pride of his. His architectural career was spent largely in Lawrence where he was an active community member on boards and city committees. He spent 2001 - 2014 in the GouldEvans Phoenix, AZ office, it was a great fit for him and his love of the desert southwest.

He had an adventurous, independent spirit, and travels included: small towns throughout the country while doing work for Major League Baseball's Minor League, Mexico, scuba diving in the Caribbean, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Cambodia, India, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and even Burning Man! Through all of Dave's life travels and career success, nothing brought him more joy than the time he spent with family and friends in Allenspark, CO on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. Purchased by his parents in 1953, the cherished family cabin has been the backdrop to generations of family and friends hiking, playing cards, fishing for and grilling trout, and so much laughter.

Dave struggled with Alzheimer's the last few years of his life which is the same disease that took his beloved mother. His family is sending love and care to anyone who is struggling with memory loss and their loved ones that are navigating this journey. We would like to express our endless thanks and gratitude to CedarHurst Memory Care Facility and Elara Caring Hospice Services. A celebration of life will be planned at a later time.