Living life to the fullest and "helping others at all times" guided this Poet to become a Philadelph
Christopher C. Evans '68, Poet Award honoree, longtime alumni volunteer for Whittier College and a founding member of the Pacific Northwest Poet alumni group cemented his legacy with the College when he designated Whittier in his estate plans and became a Philadelphian. This generous philanthropic decision is fitting for someone who loved Whittier College so much and wanted to provide opportunities for others to also experience the special life and learning opportunities it provides.
Chris loved his time and experiences at Whittier, making close friendships while making a difference in the lives of others such as being a resident advisor in Murphy Hall. He made many lifelong friends at Whittier who were in touch daily, a testament to his loving, kind and caring traits and outgoing personality. Chris had a talent for engaging friends, family and classmates in long conversations. Most importantly, he wanted to learn about others and lend a helping hand.
He was impressed by his business professors, and his knack for numbers led him to handle statistics for the football team while at Whittier and then for investing and business success throughout his life. Over the years, he attended and supported all alumni-student activities in the region and was a visionary behind the Pacific Northwest Alumni Endowed Scholarship. He was also an enthusiastic supporter of The Christopher C. Evans Scholarship Fund, which was established in his name by close friends and family to recognize his devotion to Whittier College and also support students from the Pacific Northwest. He was always excited to learn about the students who benefitted from these scholarships and was proud of this meaningful legacy.
Chris graduated from Whittier with a degree in business administration. He went on to serve three years in the U.S. Army and afterward earned a J.D. at Willamette University Law School in 1974. He began practicing law in 1975 and served as general counsel, vice president, and acting president of several seafood companies. He continued to consult with clients in business and finance. In addition to his legal career, Evans was involved with the commercial banking industry in the Pacific Northwest, serving on boards, raising capital, and orchestrating sales of financial institutions.
Chris grew up in Seattle. His active and social nature was harnessed in the Boy Scouts with its focus on outdoor adventures while teaching about caring for the environment and "helping others at all times" by "doing a good turn daily." Summers were spent at Henderson's Camp on Lopez Island, family boating in the San Juan Islands, scuba diving in Puget Sound, swimming and fishing at Crescent Beach in British Columbia, working on the S.S. Catala at Ocean Shores and leading his sisters into the surf on the Washington Coast.
Chris was passionate personally and professionally about Northwest fisheries and sea life and was involved with the fishing industry throughout his career. Chris spent time in Kodiak and Dutch Harbor, Alaska, invested in Alaska fishing boats, and served as president of Kodiak Reduc Inc., a fish meal company where he oversaw the construction of a new plant. Of course, Chris was proud to be an avid Dungeness crabber and salmon fisherman. His seafood industry connections meant that he always brought delicious Dungeness crab legs or salmon to the party.
Chris was a born naturalist, and he loved the family home on Whidbey Island where he could watch eagles, blue heron, whales, salmon and seals, along with a constant parade of ships, while entertaining family and friends with his delicious meals. Chris was always ready to pick fresh raspberries from his garden, whip up some bacon & blueberry pancakes or pull out some Frederick & Nelson cinnamon pop-ups for his growing nieces and nephews.
Living life to its fullest, helping others and exploring the world around us are just a part of the legacy Chris leaves through his generosity and leadership to Whittier College. His endowed scholarship will live on helping deserving students each year and thanks to designating the college in his estate plan, he will be helping even more future generations of Poets experience their own wonderful life and educational pursuits!
