Robert McNair Evanson

Robert “Bob” McNair Evanson, 86, of Portland, ND passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 18, 2009, at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND. Bob was born on September 14, 1922 in the family log house to Carl and Ruth McNair Evanson. He graduated from Portland High in 1940. After one year at Mayville State, he moved to California where he built P-38s. He briefly returned to Portland until he was drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1943. He flew 41 missions in the Pacific Theater as a radio operator and ball turret gunner in B-24’s. After the war he returned to farm the Evanson farm and lived in the house built by his grandfather in 1879. In 1970 he took a winter trip to Alaska to visit family and ended up staying 30 years. He trained as a welder, taught welding at the junior college in Anchorage and worked all over Alaska from the Aleutian chain to above the Arctic Circle either as a welder or in later years as a heavy duty equipment operator for the telecommunications of Alaska. In January, 1976 he went to Guatemala for a winter break and met his future wife, Frances Ann Stachura of Cleveland, OH. After four years of corresponding, Bob decided she had aged enough and mailed her an engagement ring for Christmas, 1979 and they were married on Feb. 14, 1980. On Nov 13, 1980, their only son Even was born. While on vacation in North Dakota in July, 1981 Bob was transferred to Hinchinbrook Island, Prince William Sound, with his job and the family spent until September 1999 living a true wilderness lifestyle. In September Bob and Fran, relocated to the original farmstead where they spent the next ten years involved activities in Portland and the surrounding areas. Bob was a lifetime member of Bruflat Church, serving in various capacities and a trustee. He is a lifetime member of the American Legion and the VFW. He also served as a Boy Scout leader for many years in the Portland area. Bob is survived by his wife, Fran and his son, Even (Julie) Evanson, his step brother Gene Kjos and step sister Shirley (Rick) Twaddle, brother in law Richard Elken, sister in law Mary Lou Accordino, numerous nieces and nephews and many wonderful cousins. In lieu of flowers Bob preferred memorials to Bruflat Homebound CD Fund or the Portland Boy Scout Troop 93 Camp Scholarship Fund or personal charities. Visitation: Sunday, August 23 from 4-6 PM with a prayer service at 5 PM at Baker Funeral Home, Mayville, ND, and one hour before the funeral at the church. Funeral: 1:00 PM, Monday, August 24 at Bruflat Lutheran Church, Portland, ND. Burial: Bruflat Cemetery, Portland, ND.