Evans, Frank Bulter

EVANS, Frank Butler (Age 91) Passed away on Tuesday, June 22, 
2010 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Funeralservices will be held at 10:00 
am, Saturday, June 26, 2010 at the FirstPresbyterian Church in 
Sandpoint with the Rev. Dr. Nancy Copeland-Payton 
officiating. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park with full 
military honors. Frank was born on February 13, 1919 in Sugar 
City, Idaho to Dr. Frank B. and Clara Evans. The family followed 
Frank's father's medical practice to Dover in 1923 and to 
Sandpoint four years later. In high school he wasactive in 
student affairs and as a senior served as student body 
president.He also was elected captain of the football team. 
Frank attended the University of Idaho and graduated in 1941. 
While astudent he was a member of Pershing Rifles, the Hell 
Divers swim team and was elected president of the Sigma Nu 
fraternity (1940-41). After graduation he volunteered for the 
U.S. Army Air Corps pilot training program and received his 
pilot's wings in February of 1942. On March 29th of 1942 Frank 
married his high school and college sweetheart, Jane Pier, in 
Boise, Idaho. During World War II Frank piloted 50 missions in a 
B-17 Bomber overEurope and North Africa. He was awarded 
several medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross for 
bringing his crew safely back to base with two disabled 
engines after being severely damaged by enemy fire. 
Onanother occasion he and his crew were forced to parachute 
from theircrippled aircraft after being attacked by German 
fighter planes. Following these incidents, Frank and his crew 
were assigned to serve as the personal pilot and flying office 
for British General Field Marshall B.L. Montgomery, ferrying him 
safely between London and Cairo. They served in this capacity 
for several months before returning to active combat duty. 
After returning from overseas he was stationed in Sioux City, 
Iowa where he served as Air Commander. In 1943 he was 
honorably discharged with the rank of Major. Frank and Jane 
returned to Sandpoint where they became active members in 
the community. He became a partner in the Ford Motor 
franchise Cady & Pier, Inc. He twice served as president of the 
Chamber of Commerce, served on the Bonner General Hospital 
board of trustees for many years , was chairman of the 
Sandpoint Independent Highway District, served on the school 
board, acted as a trustee for the Idaho Auto Dealers 
Association, and was a member of the B.P.O.E Elks #1376 
including a term as Exalted Ruler. After he retired he worked 
as a volunteer for SCORE, Spokane Chapter. Frank's demeanor 
was calm and reasonable, and he brought peace,understanding 
and compromise to the different boards on which he served. 
Both Frank and Jane were very active in the First Presbyterian 
Church. They served as Elders and sang in the choir for over 30 
years. He and Jane have been strong supporters of the Festival 
at Sandpoint, the Pend Oreille Arts Council and the Panida 
Theater. Frank was an avid golfer and afterretirement he and 
Jane enjoyed traveling and playing courses in many parts of the 
western U.S. and Canada. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, 
Jane Evans of Sandpoint and fivechildren: Carolyn Evans (Al 
Richardson) of Shoreline, WA; Steve Evans(Karen) of Green 
Valley, AZ.; Tom Evans (Lyn) of Sandpoint, ID; John Evans 
(Laurie) of Virginia; Mary Evans of Lewiston, ID; twelve 
grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. He is also 
survived by one sister, AdaWhittaker of Bonners Ferry, ID. He 
was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and five 
sisters. "Dad, thank you for being the rock of our family, you 
will always be our hero." Memorial donations may be made to 
the Festival at Sandpoint, PO Box 695, Sandpoint, ID 83864; or 
the First Presbyterian Church, 417 N. Fourth Ave, Sandpoint, ID 
83864. LAKEVIEW FUNERAL HOME in Sandpoint is handling the 
arrangements. Please visit Frank's online memorial at 
www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book. 

Published in Spokesman-Review from June 25 to June 26, 2010