Honoring Chuck Evans
Late SPNSCC President Charles "Chuck" Evans, who served from 1975-1984 was remembered at SPNSCC's Annual Celebration Dinner.
Chuck Evans led at the forefront of many longstanding SPNSCC projects including the gift of a totem pole to Nagasaki, SPNSCC's involvement in the Festival of Nations' Japanese food booth, and a one-to-one student exchange between St. Paul and Nagasaki which lasted over 20 years. His presidency also oversaw the beginnings of what would become the Como Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden, which began in 1974 with the invitation of Nagasaki master gardener Masami Matsuda.
Many of Chuck's legacy projects live on. The Nagasaki totem pole was replicated and replaced in 2005, then replaced again in 2012 with a bronze scale replica of the St Paul City Hall's Vision of Peace by artist Bill Hueg, the bronze being a material better suited to Nagasaki's humid climate. SPNSCC ran the Festival of Nations Japanese food booth until 2019. The one-to-one student exchange ran until at least 1995. Masami Matsuda returned to Como Park a dozen times to assist with the creation and maintenance of the Japanese garden until the end of his life. Then, in 2015, his son came for the re-dedication ceremony.
Chuck Evans’ commitment to community service began with a strong bond between him and his great aunt Olivia Johnson. Her involvement as the President of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, with the International Red Cross after World War 2 and with the St Paul Winter Carnival served as an exceptional example for ways to become involved in the community.
In 1963, when Chuck graduated from Cretin High School, Olivia invited him on a trip of a lifetime. They would travel Southeast Asia with Chuck serving as her valet. While she spent her days with scheduled breakfast, lunch and formal dinners Chuck took the opportunity to explore and learn about this amazing part of the world.
Upon returning to the United States, Chuck attended St Thomas College. After graduation he began working for First National Bank in downtown St Paul. During this time, he began his own life of community service.
He worked with the YMCA creating Christmas tree lots that funded underprivileged children who attended Y camps. He also volunteered his time with the International Institute of Minnesota, the Festival of Nations, with you the Sister City Committee and actively participated in the development of the Japanese Garden at Como Zoo Conservatory, which is “a living symbol of the peace and friendship that exists between St Paul and it’s sister city Nagasaki, Japan”.
Chuck’s great aunt Olivia was a collector. She preferred to be called a gatherer but either way she amassed a large collection of dolls from their extensive travels around the world. These dolls represent the rich history and tradition of the cultures they were fortunate to experience. Upon her passing, Chuck donated part of her collection to the International Institute that was later displayed at the Festival of Nations.
After retiring from First Bank, Chuck continued his pursuit of community service working first for the Greater Twin Cities United Way helping to raise funds for the community and then for GMHC, the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation, which provided affordable housing assistance for low and moderate income individuals in the Twin Cities metro area.
We recently found boxes in his belongings labeled Sister City Committee and reached out in an effort to get these beautiful items where they could be appreciated. What you see here is part of this donation. He would be pleased to know that the funds raised this evening will continue to benefit the community and his commitment to community service.
