Robert Smallwood “Bob” Evins – Obituary and Assessment Call

Robert Smallwood EvinsRobert Smallwood "Bob" Evins, 90, of Bryan died on Tuesday, July 12, 2010, at Millican House Assisted Living. Memorial services are set for 2 p.m. July 24, at Hillier Funeral Home.

Robert was born the second of three children at the family homestead in Losoya, Texas, to Dorothy Smallwood and John Theron Evins. He graduated from San Antonio Vocational and Technical High School in San Antonio in 1938 with a certificate in the printing trade. After graduation, he was employed with the Sigmund Press in San Antonio until he joined the Army National Guard's 36th Division in January 1940.

Once his outfit was mobilized into the U.S. Army, the division went from Camp Bowie, Texas, to Camp Blanding, Fla., then to Camp Edwards in Massachusetts. From there, the division shipped out to Oran, North Africa, for five months before invading Salerno, Italy, in September 1943.

After the invasion, his unit found itself out of ammunition and cut off behind enemy lines, eventually leading to their capture. As a prisoner of war, he was processed through Dachau and then sent on to Stalag IIIB at Fürstenberg, Germany. He remained at Stalag IIIB until the forced winter march in February 1945 to Stalag IIIA near Luckenwalde in advance of the rapidly approaching Russian lines. Stalag IIIA was eventually liberated by the Russians in April 1945.

Upon his return to the states, he entered a newly-formed program at Texas A&M University to train to become a State of Texas Game Warden. With his lifelong love of animals and the outdoors, becoming a game warden proved to be a most fulfilling career for Bob. During this time, he met his future wife, Emily Hill, on a blind date arranged by his sister Joyce, alongside the banks of the Cibolo Creek in Bexar County.

After his graduation in May 1947, and their wedding in June, Robert's first assigned post was at Catarina, Texas. From there it was to Midland for the next posting, then Junction, then back to San Antonio, and eventually to Bryan in 1965 where he was assigned as director for the Game Warden Training School at Texas A&M University. After 30 distinguished years as field game warden and instructor, he retired from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1977. Eventually, Bob decided retirement didn't hold enough excitement for him and he returned to his earliest training by taking a position as pressman at the Texas A&M University Printing Center where he worked for eight years until 1985.

Bob's main passion outside of work and family was tinkering around in his wood and metal working shop. He could spot a useful discarded item a mile away. Over the years, he managed to accumulate virtually every imaginable item, which he then precisely categorized and organized for future use.

He loved to help friends and neighbors with all types of repair and fix-it jobs. He spent a great deal of time constructing items for St. Thomas Episcopal Church and its Early Learning Center. He also fabricated intricate metal whirligigs and windmills and carved and painted unique pieces of artwork.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John T. Evins; sister, Joyce Slimp; and his loving wife of more than 57 years, Emily.

Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Jack and Debbie Evins and Fred and Margaret Evins, all of Austin; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Ivan Lorenz of Bryan; grandchildren, Garrett and Jenna Evins of Austin, Shanon Lorenz of Kyle, Texas, and Lauren Pegues of Richmond, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley or the Texas Game Warden Association. (Photo - 28th Game Warden Class, 1972)

For more information or to express condolences visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com

 


TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

MUTUAL ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 549
Del Valle, Texas 78617

TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT MUTUAL ASSOCIATION

SUBJECT:       Assessment Call
DATE:             July 14, 2010
AMOUNT:        $16.00
DUE:               August 16, 2010 - Failure to pay by the due date will result in suspension of benefits. The assessment fee plus a reinstatement fee will be charged to rejoin the Association.
Policy No. 100

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Mutual Association (TPWD Mutual Association) regrets to inform you of the death of another of our members, Robert S. Evins .

Bob became a member of the Texas Game and Fish Commission Mutual Association on June 2, 1956. He retained his membership up until his death on July 12, 2010.

Additional information on Bob is on the reverse side of this assessment letter.

A check in the amount of $5,265 will be delivered to his daughter, Barbara, as soon as possible.

An assessment in the amount of $16.00 will be necessary to bring the policy fund back into balance to have payments on hand for two members in case of death. Please make this payment by August 16, 2010.

Sincerely,

L. David Sinclair, President
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Mutual Association


REMINDER

Make Checks Payable to:

TPWD Mutual Association

Please Mail All Payments to:

TPWD Mutual Association
P.O. Box 549
Del Valle, TX 78617

If you have any questions regarding the TPWD Mutual Association, please contact:

David Sinclair by phone at (512) 389-4854 or e-mail david.sinclair@tpwd.state.tx.us, or
David Heater by phone at (512) 389-4813 or e-mail david.heater@tpwd.state.tx.us, or
Janie Whitaker by phone at (512) 389-4937 or e-mail janie.whitaker@tpwd.state.tx.us.