OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state and United States flags will be lowered to half-staff Tuesday at state agencies in memory of a former governor and senator who passed away in September.
Gov. Jay Inslee directed the flags to be at half-staff until the close of business or sunset on Thursday. A memorial service will be held for Dan Evans at the University of Washington on Tuesday, where Evans once served on the Board of Regents.
Evans, a Republican, served as governor from 1965 to 1977 and senator from 1983 to 1989. Evans also represented the state's 43rd Legislative District in the Washington State House before his run for governor and as president of Evergreen State College before serving as U.S. Senator.
“Governor Evans’ lifetime of public service embodied integrity, bipartisan collaboration and effective, humane policymaking that inspired generations of leaders through the Evans School of Public Policy and beyond," UW President Ana Mari Cauce said in a statement on his passing. "The University of Washington will always be grateful for his outstanding service as a Regent, volunteer, supporter and mentor, and the example he set for principled leadership. We are proud to count him as an alumnus, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
Evans grew up in Seattle before joining the U.S. Navy during World War II. He went on to earn a bachelor's and master's degree at UW studying civil engineering. His early career as an engineer led him to help design what would become the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
Evans' wife Nancy died earlier this year. He is survived by his sons Dan Jr., Mark and Brunce and nine grandchildren.