Earl Walter Evans, PhD
April 6, 1931 – June 9, 2026

Earl Walter Evans, PhD, passed away peacefully at his home in Hemet, California on June 9, 2026. He was the devoted husband of the late Barbro Evans (Wogberg) with whom they raised two sons, James and John.

Earl grew up in Los Angeles and as a young man enjoyed free diving, raced hot rods, and became an amateur champion welterweight boxer. He was proud of his service in the US Navy during the Korean War, where he served as an air traffic controller.

A lifelong skier, Earl met the love of his life and best friend Barbro, at an alpine ski race in Big Bear, California. They married in 1957 and enjoyed 60 years together before Barbro’s passing in 2018. Barbro was an artist, and Earl often applied his engineering skills to assist with her work in sculpture and printmaking.

Earl earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of California Riverside and later received his PhD from the University of Missouri while raising his young family in campus housing. He went on to work for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the National Academy of Sciences, and later retired from the US Department of Energy.

In retirement, Earl continued his passion for science by researching and drafting essays on environmental preservation. He enjoyed following hockey, football and baseball, tending to his beautiful garden, and teaching tai chi.

Earl faced life challenges with resilience, surviving lymphoma at age 80, the loss of Barbro, and a heart condition. He remained independent and continued exercising at the gym until his final days.

Earl will be missed for his adventurous spirit, creative mind, generous heart, and dry wit.

Services will be held at Riverside National Cemetery, July 9 at 10:45AM

For anyone wishing to send flowers, they may be sent directly to the cemetery:
Riverside National Cemetery
22495 Van Buren Boulevard
Riverside, CA 92518
(951) 653-8417

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to one of the following charitable organizations:
Southern Poverty Law Center: www.splcenter.org
Greenpeace: www.greenpeace.org/usa

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to one of the following charitable organizations:

Southern Poverty Law Center:  www.splcenter.org

Greenpeace:  www.greenpeace.org/usa