Donald Philip Evans

After a long and dignified battle with cancer, Don died peacefully in Victoria on July 9, 2021 with his wife Kathy and sister Dale at his side.

Don grew up in North Vancouver and graduated from Delbrook High School. He was a skilled and natural athlete who excelled at soccer, swimming and football. He attended Simon Fraser University, married Kathy and continued his education at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. In 1975, Don and Kathy moved to Kamloops where he began work with the Environmental Land Use Committee Secretariat , designing, building and maintaining micrometeorology equipment for field studies. He continued his work for the Ministry of Environment in Victoria until the late 1970’s, when he joined the teaching faculty of Camosun College as an Instructor in the Electronics Program. He was a knowledgeable, patient and empathetic teacher who greatly respected and enjoyed his students. Following his many years of teaching, Don worked as Manager of Computing Services at Camosun until his retirement in 2007, after which he privately consulted and taught in the fields of Project Management and Information Technology.

In retirement, Don and Kathy enjoyed many pleasures together, especially travel. One such trip took them to southern Spain where he studied and built his first beautiful classical guitar in the traditional style of the area. A few years later, he crafted his second guitar while working with a master Luthier in North Carolina. Don was an avid student of music, especially the classical guitar, which he loved to study and play. He was an excellent craftsman who applied skill and an artistic eye to every project he worked on, including the redesign and renovation of his 100+ year old house in Oak Bay, which he transformed to create a comfortable and welcoming home and an intimate garden that invites peaceful contemplation.

Don was a kind, intelligent, sensitive and generous man, always ready to lend a hand. He loved his family and friends and derived much pleasure from Riley, his energetic Sheltie and the rest of his canine family over many years. He liked a good debate, stimulating conversation, and a glass of fine red wine. He preferred sharing time with a few good friends rather than a crowd, and his playfulness and the gift of his gentle but wonderfully barbed sense of humour was enjoyed by many.

Don will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Kathy, sister Dale Chandler, brother Glen Evans and family, Linda and Jeff Williams, Tom and Pat Getzie and a multitude of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Don and Lynn, his stepfather Howie Foley and brother Dean.

His family extends heartfelt gratitude to Don’s many friends who lifted his spirits with every visit, note or phone call and to all the staff at Victoria Hospice for their expert care and kindness. Don especially wanted to thank friends Rick Williams and Judy Blackwell, for their incredible support for Don and Kathy throughout this difficult journey.

A private gathering for family and friends will be planned for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Victoria Hospice in Don’s name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared with the family below.