Hank was born in Kansas City, MO to Navy Pilot Henry J. Evans, Jr and Ellen Hawn Evans/Van Nuis.
Raised in Ravena, NY he graduated from The Albany Academy where he was a star football player and also on the tennis and hockey teams. He graduated from Colgate University with a degree in Economics and Business. He was an officer of Theta Chi Fraternity, Captain of the Sailing Team and on the Ski Team. He joined the National Ski Patrol and patrolled throughout New England. During summers he was the Sailing Master at the Lake George Club and the Hyannis Yacht Club.
In 1968 Hank graduated from Navy Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an Ensign. Between active and reserve duty he served 23 years rising to the rank of Commander. He held numerous command positions including Captain of the Guided Missile Destroyer – USS Semmes-DDG 18. Hank also held the rank of Captain in the New York Naval Militia.
He held civilian positions with Pfizer, Lockley Manufacturing, C&C Yachts, International Chimney and Glen Gery Brick. For 20 years before retirement, he owned A.F Johnson Millwork Co. and Midwest Kitchens in West Des Moines, IA.
During his 20 years in Des Moines, he was very active in the community serving on 13 Boards and chairing 7. He received numerous awards including Citizen of the Year.
Hank was a lifelong boater and racing sailor. He held world championships in two sailing classes and was Commodore of the Youngstown Yacht Club on Lake Ontario. He owned 28 boats and was the designer of the Sea Witch sailboat and the Skimmer 45 iceboat. He was a qualified Scuba Diver and parachutist. He was an instrument rated private pilot in both land and sea planes. Hank was a Master Mason from the Lodge of the Craft in New Castle, PA.
Married to Ann Thomas of Jackson, TN for 49 years, they had sons, Henry IV (Erin) of San Diego and Bradley (Stacy) of Des Moines. Hank also has a son, Mark (Rose) of Coxsackie, NY. and is survived by sister, Hope Van Nuis Weidman (Timothy) of Chester, MD and nephew, Will Weidman (Jennifer) from Arlington, VA.
Grandchildren include; Adam, Emily, Alexandra and Arianna.
Ann & Hank sold their businesses and retired on a 43’ motor trawler in 2008. They cruised the Great Lakes, East Coast and Bahamas for 8 years and 35,000 miles before Ann passed from CBD in 2019.
Hank spent the last 8 years happily RVing, boating and golfing with his companion Beth Elliott at Lockwood Folly, NC. Beth and his wife Ann grew up together as second cousins.
A Celebration of Life party with open bar at Hank’s request will be held at Lockwood Folly Country Club on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 4-6 pm.
White Funeral and Cremation Service
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