In Memory of Brigadier General (Retired) Richard “Dick” Evans

Obituary

Brigadier General (Retired) Richard “Dick” Evans, of Whitesboro and Old Forge, New York, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026, at the age of 91. Born in Utica on June 25, 1934, he lived a life defined by determination, service, leadership, and deep love for family.

Richard grew up on Amory Drive in East Utica. From an early age, Dick developed the resilience and work ethic that would define the rest of his life. As a young man, he left high school to work and support himself and his family, holding a variety of jobs including short-order cook, harvesting beans, setting bowling pins, assisting in a veterinary clinic, and repairing cars as a garage mechanic. Through persistence and determination, he eventually purchased and operated a gas station and garage at the corner of French Road and Burrstone Road in Utica. While running the business and raising a young family, he attended Utica College at night and proudly graduated in 1965.

On September 27th,1952, Dick married the love of his life, Joan Behr. Together they raised five sons, building a home centered on family, hard work, and mutual support.

Throughout his life, Dick balanced multiple careers simultaneously. He worked for General Electric Aerospace, later part of Lockheed Martin, where his sharp eye for detail, strong work ethic, and leadership ability led him to become a senior marketing and contracts executive. After retiring from Lockheed Martin, he became President of Critical Imaging, a provider of advanced optical and thermal imaging equipment, and served in that role until his passing.

Dick was also well known locally for preparing taxes and offering accounting and business advice to friends, and small businesses.

At the same time, he built a remarkable military career in the New York Army National Guard. Enlisting in 1952, Dick rose through the ranks over decades of service, attaining the rank of Brigadier General. He served as commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, known as the “Rainbow Division,” a historic National Guard unit with a distinguished legacy of service to the nation. During his Guard career he led troops responding to emergencies in New York State, including flood relief efforts and other critical state missions.

In addition to his professional and military careers, Dick was deeply committed to community service. He served for more than a decade on the Board of the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) in Utica, supporting its mission to help individuals who are blind or visually impaired live independent and productive lives.

Outside of work and service, Dick loved the outdoors and especially cherished time with his family in the Adirondacks. As a teenager, he and several friends squeezed into the back of a friend’s car to make the trip from Utica to Old Forge for a short visit. After spending about an hour swimming at the town beach, they had to turn around and head back home. Dick later recalled standing there and thinking, “What a beautiful place.”

That early impression stayed with him. Just over a decade later, in 1962, he purchased a lot on First Lake. With the help of his brothers and friends, he built a family retreat, clearing the land and constructing the camp largely by hand while living in a tent during the early days of the project. The camp became a lifelong gathering place filled with swimming, boating, water skiing, and countless family memories.

Dick had a lifelong passion for golf, enjoying trips with family and friends to Myrtle Beach, Florida, and Hawaii. He was an active member of Thendara Golf Club, where he proudly served as club president. In the winter months, he loved skiing and brought the family nearly every weekend to McCauley Mountain, sharing with them his love of the Adirondacks.

Above all else, Dick believed deeply in hard work, honor, respect, and perseverance. Those who knew Dick knew a man who believed that hard work, integrity, and caring for others were the foundations of a meaningful life.  These values shaped his life and the lives of his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Joan Evans; his five sons, Steven (Melanie) Evans; Gary (Raechel) Evans; Daniel Evans; Gregory (Denyse) Evans; and Timothy Evans; his seven grandchildren, Adam (Julie); Brian; Nicole; Emily (Alex); Christopher; Matthew (Shaye); and Julia; his three great-grandchildren, Paisley, Graham, and Brynn; his brothers Robert Evans  and Charles (Margaret) Evans; numerous nieces and nephews; and two very special friends, Mark Infusino and Tatyana Kozakevich, whose friendship and support meant so much to him in recent years.

He was predeceased by his parents, Robert F. and Margaret Evans, and his siblings Lawrence Evans, Nadine Evans Hanley, Barbara Evans VanDusen, Deanna Evans Clarke, Gail Evans Ueltschi, Charlene Evans Webster, and Douglas Evans.

Calling hours will be on Thursday from 4-7 PM at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford.  The funeral will be Friday at 10:00 AM at the funeral home with Military honors will be rendered in recognition of Brigadier General Evans’ decades of distinguished service to the United States and the New York Army National Guard.

Dick Evans lived a life defined by dedication—to his family, his community, and his country. He was proud to have served under the Rainbow of the 42nd Infantry Division and to have led soldiers in service to their state and nation. His legacy will live on in the many lives he touched and in the family he loved so deeply. He found great joy on the waters and among the mountains of the Adirondacks, a place that will forever hold the memories of a life well lived.

In memory of Dick, those who wish maybe make donations to the MVHS Foundation or CABVI.

Online messages of sympathy may be left at: www.fwefh.com