Richard Evans (brigadier general)
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Richard Evans | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Evans c. 1988 | |
| Born | 25 June 1934 Utica, New York, US |
| Died | 13 March 2026 (aged 91) Utica, New York, US |
| Service | United States Army |
| Service years | 1952–1989 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Service number | 02282718[1] |
| Unit | US Army Armor Branch US Army Military Police Branch |
| Commands | 107th Military Police Company 102nd Military Police Battalion 205th Support Group 42nd Infantry Division |
| Wars | Cold War |
| Awards | Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal Army Achievement Medal New York Conspicuous Service Medal New York Meritorious Service Medal |
| Alma mater | Utica College United States Army Command and General Staff College United States Army War College |
| Spouse |
Joan Behr (m. 1952–2026) |
| Children | 5 |
| Other work | Business executive |
Richard Evans (25 June 1934 – 13 March 2026) was a career officer in the New York Army National Guard. He served from 1952 to 1989 and was a veteran of the Cold War. Evans attained the rank of brigadier general as commander of the 42nd Infantry Division from 1987 to 1989, and his awards and decorations included four awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, two awards of the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the New York Conspicuous Service Medal, and the New York Meritorious Service Medal. In his civilian career, Evans was an executive for corporations including GE Aerospace and Lockheed Martin.
Richard Evans was born in Utica, New York on 25 June 1934, a son of Robert F. Evans and Margaret Ester (Geary) Evans.[2] He was raised and educated in the East Utica neighborhood and left high school to begin working.[2] Jobs at the start of his career included cooking, harvesting vegetables, setting bowling pins, assisting in a veterinary clinic, and repairing cars.[2] He achieved success as a mechanic, which led to his purchase and operation of a filling station and garage in Utica.[2] While running the garage, he began attending Utica College on nights and weekends, and he graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.[2][3][4]
Evans later went on to a career as a corporate manager and executive for companies including GE Aerospace and Lockheed Martin, where he became a senior marketing and contracts executive.[2] After retiring from Lockheed Martin, he worked as president of Critical Imaging, a company that produces advanced optical and thermal imaging equipment, and he remained in this position until his death.[2] Evans was also an accountant and tax return preparer, and made his expertise available to family, friends, and Utica-area small businesses.[2]