Gary, a man of integrity, purpose, faith, generosity and always the gentleman, passed on June 29, 2024 at age 88. Born in Wilkes-Barre PA to Edith and Ralph Evans, Gary graduated from Lafayette College in 1957 Magna Cum Laude and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He married Betty Jane Gait in 1958. For the last nine years, they have resided at Kirkland Village in Bethlehem PA.
Gary’s extensive development career was one of passion and devotion. He successfully led major capital campaigns at Lafayette College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and forged enduring alumni friendships. Gary was a mentor to many and had an active consulting career following his college and university work. He taught at Harvard’s Institute for Educational Management and Harvard University Seminar for New Presidents; served on the faculty of the Williamsburg Development Institute; was a trustee of Lafayette College along with Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE); and authored several articles and book chapters on fundraising. Additionally, Gary served as Board of Directors Vice President of the Children’s Home of Easton, Inc.; Board of Directors member for Lehigh Valley Industrial Park; an Elder of First Presbyterian Church in Easton; and President and Director of Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce. He also was a US Army veteran.
His greatest joy, however, was his family and Evans gatherings were always full of love and laughter. Gary is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty Jane Evans; daughter Karen Evans Gadson of Saint Michaels MD (husband Mark); son Steven Evans of Ambler PA (wife Laurie); son Daniel Evans of Oreland PA (wife Susanna); four grandchildren, Megan Gadson Benner (husband Mark), Abigail, Noah and Hadley Evans; and a great granddaughter, Charleigh Benner.
A Celebration of his Life will be held 2 PM, Wednesday, September 11, 2024 in the Kirkland Village Auditorium, 1 Kirkland Village Circle, Bethlehem, with a calling period from 1 to 2 PM. Overflow parking in the First Presbyterian Church parking lot with shuttle service will be available.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be made in Gary’s memory to the Gary A. ’57 and Betty J. Evans Scholarship Fund at Lafayette College. Checks should be made payable to Lafayette College and make note of the scholarship fund on the memo line. Mail to Lafayette College, Advancement, Box 3000, Easton PA 18042. Or, please consider making a gift to the Alzheimer’s Association at 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago IL 60601. Online condolences may be offered at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Adam Stauffer
July 1, 2024 at 3:23 pm
Gary was an absolute joy to be around and an amazing mentor. I was blessed to have had the opportunity to call him a friend and a colleague. His obituary captures his personality to a tee; a consummate gentleman! Sorry for your loss. He was one of a kind!
Colleen , John and Evan Villella
July 1, 2024 at 3:54 pm
Dear B.J. and family,
We share in sorrow to learn this news of Gary’s passing.
Someone wrote,
“When we lose someone we love we must not learn how to live without them but how to live with the love they left behind.”
Chaplain Alex Hendrickson
July 2, 2024 at 12:34 pm
The Lafayette Community is in prayer for the Evans family.
In Christ,
Chaplain Alex Hendrickson
Jessica Morris
July 2, 2024 at 1:58 pm
What a great man Gary was. Personally speaking, when I was floundering about doing temp work the year after graduating from college, and wishing I was working in higher ed, Gary took me out to lunch and gave me all kinds of wonderful advice on how to present my resume, cover letter, and who to talk to about working in different areas of higher ed. He was so generous with his time and experience and told me to use his name in interviews, as he had been around the business for many years. It wasn’t long after that that I landed my first job in higher ed (where I’ve been for the last 30 years!). I have always been so grateful to him for the help he gave me.
Additionally, he was my sister’s father-in-law and I have been honored to be a witness to the beautiful family that is the Evans clan.
My prayers are with BJ, Karen, Steve, Dan, and everyone who mourns the loss of this fantastic human, Gary Evans.
John O’Keefe
July 2, 2024 at 4:38 pm
Gary was one of the most lovely humans I ever knew. He helped me as a student, an alum, and as a colleague at the college. He will truly be missed. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Steve Evans & Laurie Grant
July 2, 2024 at 5:18 pm
Thanks for everything.
Lex McMillan
July 2, 2024 at 7:41 pm
He was a lovely man, a gentleman, a great friend and colleague. May God rest his soul and comfort all those who are grieving his death.
Penny Blackwood
July 3, 2024 at 3:36 pm
Gary was one of a kind indeed. I will always be grateful to him for my career path – he encouraged me to go into higher education development when I had my first job at the Assoc. of Independent Colleges and University of PA, where he was on the Board at the time. Because of him I applied to Lafayette, made lifelong friends, and followed that career path to this day and eventually enabled me to come home to Newfoundland to my Alma mater to work 19 years ago. I’ve thought of him so often over the years and am so sorry to hear of this tremendous loss for so many. My deep condolences.
Beth Freebairn
July 4, 2024 at 10:17 pm
The Freebairns are sad to hear of Mr Evans’ passing. We are sending love and prayers to all the family.
Bob and Sandy Weiner
July 9, 2024 at 12:43 pm
Sorry for your loss. Gary was a special man. So glad we ran into him after his haircut. He still made us feel very special.
Harry Jones
October 1, 2024 at 3:14 pm
It was by the most bizarre set of circumstances that resulted in my being introduced
to Lafayette by Gary when he visited my prep school in Washington DC in 1961. It was another surprising set of circumstances that resulted in my attending Lafayette and graduating in 1966. I did well at Lafayette and it turned out to be a good choice for me and the ROTC program led to my successful career in the US Army. So I owe a lot to Gary and his dedicated efforts in the Admissions Department early on in his career. My condolences to his family.