Dick Evans and award-winning writer for both the Miami Herald and Daytona Beach News-Journal died on Sunday July 4 2010 at the Hospice Care Center in Daytona Beach. He was 78. A celebration of his life will be held Friday July 30 2010; 1:00 PM at the Daytona chapel of the Lohman Funeral Home Evans's son Richard B. Evans an attorney in Louisville will preside at the memorial service
Evans a native Miamian started his journalism career modestly delivering The Miami News from 1943-1945 one of his first jobs at The Herald was giving out football scores on Saturdays form '45-'47. At age 14 he was hired to take greyhound results and write headlines for short stories at The Herald six nights a week. When he was 17 he officially joined The Herald as a copy boy and at age 20 he moved into The Herald sports department where he became a fixture as a writer and editor.

He quickly showed his versatility and ability covering nearly all sports on all levels - from kids' leagues to high schools to the professionals. He even served 14 months as The Herald interim religion editor Evans once organized a high school baseball tournament that featured Steve Carlton ( a Hall of Famer) and Fred Norman a future star with the Chicago Cubs. When the two pitchers came up against each other in the tournament the game attracted 3 000 to Miami Stadium.

Evans' career included numerous awards many of them coming for his knowledgeable and comprehensive bowling coverage. He started covering that sport for the Herald in 1957.

At the time of his death Evans was the all-time leading award winner (60 plus acknowledgements) in the Bowling Magazine Writing Contest for articles that he wrote for The Herald and News-Journal. That occurred despite the fact he could not enter the competition for 10 years because he was serving as a judge. He also was the top winner I the Professional Bowlers' Association writing competition until it was discontinued in 2001.

Even more notable Evans was the first daily newspaper writer included into the PBA's Hall of Fame in 1986 and in 1992 he was inducted into the American Bowling Congress' Hall of Fame.

Evans who served as a mentor to many young journalists who passed through The Herald sports department continued to cover bowling for The Herald for 20 years after his retirement in 1989 When he retired he moved to Daytona Beach.

Evans was the youngest of three Evans brothers to write for The Herald.

His brothers Luther and Lee also worked in the sports department meaning that the Evans byline appeared in The Herald from 1937 until 2009 with the exception of two years 1943-1944 during WWII.

Evans is survived by Joan "Jodie" Gano Evans his wife of 38 years; his son Richard and three grandchildren- Peyton Carter and Walker.