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Bob Evans entered the sally port to Central Area on 5 Jul 1950
with a quiet confidence that he would do well in spite of the cacophony of
sounds coming from the overheated space in front of him. He had good reason —
three years of attending a top-flight military school, Columbia Military Academy
in Nashville, TN. That would take care of the military requirements of Beast
Barracks. For the future academic program, a good foundation was built during
his past year at
Vanderbilt University.
Earle Robert Evans was born 25 Apr 1931 in Birmingham, AL,
the son of Earle M. and Louise Evans. The Evans family roots in Alabama go back
to the early 1800s, and Bob was raised in the tradition of a true Southerner,
affable and courteous. He attended elementary and junior high school in
Birmingham before attending and graduating from Columbia Military Academy. He
honed his skills as a left-handed golfer at
Columbia, a sport he played well and enjoyed immensely throughout
his shortened life.
While at Vanderbilt, Bob decided he would try for an appointment
to West Point, and after making several inquiries, he received an appointment
from Representative Laurie Battle. Beast Barracks had its low spots, but Bob’s
experience overcame the usual problems for himself and his grateful
roommates. Then it was on to regular lettered companies, and he
joined Easy Two for the remainder of his cadet days. Academics never interfered,
and he avoided serious trouble
with the Tactics Department — only a few hours on the area. His
lefty golf swing won him a spot on the plebe team, and later he was awarded
class numerals. Social Science became a favorite subject, and he was a hard
working member of the Debate Council and Forum. More than most, Bob used Ol’Red
Boy enough to gain the title “Sleepy,” and he lived up to the title. Cards, gin rummy, bridge, were a
passion, and many hours were spent indulging this passion with classmates.
Bob opted for a commission in the Signal Corps. After graduation
leave, he attended branch school at Ft. Monmouth and then went on to Airborne
School at Ft. Benning, GA. While on the 250-foot tower, everything was going
well until a sudden gust of wind slammed him into the metal braces and banged up
his leg. Nevertheless, Bob was back in formation the next morning and received
his jump wings along with his class. He joined the 3rd Infantry Division Signal
Battalion at Benning and served as a platoon leader and supply officer during
the testing of new organizational concepts for the Signal Battalion in Exercise
Follow Me. Early 1956 found him in Korea, assigned to the 51st Signal Battalion.
Tensions were still high along the DMZ, and Bob spent most of his assignment as
a platoon leader and company commander in the field, inspecting, repairing and
installing the necessary communications for our forces and links with United
Nations
units. His letters home told of the vital need to ensure that the
combat units could always communicate, regardless of weather or situation. After
his tour in Korea, he returned to
Ft. Benning as the company commander of the 534th Signal Company
(Construction). In 1957, Bob decided to return to civilian life and resigned.
U.S. Pipe and Foundry in Birmingham was his first and only
employer for the next fifteen years. Bob was one of the company’s most
enthusiastic and successful salesmen; he enjoyed frequent advancement because of
his record of sales throughout the southeastern U.S. He worked closely with the
technical departments to help them integrate customer desires. In late 1958, Bob
met a lovely southern lady, Edwina (Anne) Westbrook. They were married on 6 Mar
1959 at the
First Methodist Church in Birmingham and honeymooned at Ponte
Vedra, FL. Bob and Anne were a fun couple and enjoyed family gatherings typical
of good Southern families. They socialized frequently at the Country Club of
Birmingham, where Bob also kept a low handicap. He was known for his expertise
in making the magnificent Mint Julep, even to the extent of
growing his own mint. Two daughters, Ann and Linda, joined the family in 1960
and 1963 respectively. The girls loved to spend time with Bob, always the loving
and indulgent father. Weekends and longer vacations on the white sand beaches of
Destin, FL were a special treat for the whole family.
Always working to develop new business, Bob ventured to Texas in
early 1972. While in Dallas, he suffered an aneurysm
and fell into a coma. Anne rushed to his side and arranged to
have him flown back to Birmingham, where he lingered on in the coma until he
died on 28 Aug 1972. He was buried in Birmingham’s Elmwood Cemetery with
military honors.
Bob was always true to the principles instilled in him at West
Point in all aspects of his life: his family, profession, community and country.
A forthright and uncomplicated man, he will be remembered always for his broad
smile and hearty laugh. He is survived by his true love, Anne; one daughter,
Linda Kacar; a granddaughter, Aylin; and a grandson, Eren.
—Family and classmates
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