H. Dean Evans

Integrity, dedication, service, loyal, selfless – these are just a few of many words that describe H. Dean Evans. Dean believed there was great virtue in a good education, a good family and a good community – and that’s exactly the story of his life.

The widespread prosperity of the 1920s ended abruptly with the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the great economic depression that followed. The depression threatened people’s jobs, savings and even their homes and farms. At the depths of the depression, over one-quarter of the American workforce was out of work. Roy and Wilhelmina Julia Marie (Schuette) Evans of Indianapolis, Indiana, were a few of the fortunate ones who were still holding jobs. Both worked as laborers, Roy with gas and oil furnaces and Wilhelmina in a laundry factory. The Evans family grew to include three children, Donald, Maryellen and a son named Harold Dean (called Dean), who was born at home on September 1, 1929.

It was obvious from a young age that Dean was a bright boy. He received his formal education at School #69 on Keystone Avenue and 34th Street and went on to graduate from Arsenal Technical High School in 1947. He represented his school in several different sports including football, basketball and track and was selected as the Athlete of the Year for Marion County. As a young man, Dean had a paper route to earn extra money and with his tips often splurged on an RC Cola. Education was an important part of Dean’s life and became a priority for the future. He attended Franklin College graduating in 1951, and went on to obtain a master in counseling from the University of Illinois in Education in 1952, and a Doctorate from Indiana University in 1966.

In 1950, at Franklin College, Dean didn’t know it at the time, but this was where he would meet the woman who would share his life for fifty years. Veronica “Vera” Pacala was the lovely young lady that Dean crowned Freshman Queen and who he later bumped into at the school’s office where she worked. He asked her to a movie, which was the beginning of a four-year courtship. In 1952, Dean enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he played football and was a sports journalist. Upon his discharge in 1954, he returned to Indianapolis and married his sweetheart Vera on June 27, 1954, at the Lyndhurst Baptist Church.

Dean and Vera were blessed with three sons, Gregory Dean, David Kent and Michael Andrew, who brought great joy and happiness to their household. As his sons grew up and started lives of their own, they blessed Dean with six precious grandchildren: Matthew Dean, Lisa, Ellyn, Benjamin, John Andrew and Lauren.

In addition to his role as father and grandfather, Dean’s greatest achievements and accomplishments came while working in a variety of capacities in the educational system. From educator and coach, to principal and superintendent, Dean was devoted to promoting education in the schools and throughout his community. For his numerous efforts, Dean was recognized with many awards such as the Outstanding Educator Award, Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents in 1982, President’s Award, Indiana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals in 1987, the Superintendent’s Award, Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township in 1991, and most commendably the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash in 1988 and 1993, which was presented to Dean by the Governor of Indiana. As a diplomat, he also received the Stacey Toran Foundation Volunteerism and Service Award in 2001. These are just a few of his many great deeds of service to education.

In addition to his formal role as an educator, Dean also worked selflessly in the community as an advocate for quality education. He served in many capacities and on several boards, some of which included the CICOA Foundation Board, Indiana Representative Education Commission of the States, former Chairman of the Indiana State Board of Education and past President of the Indiana Public Schools Technology Council. He was a member of President George H.W. Bush’s Education Policy Advisory Committee and Chairman of the Board for Gibraltar Design, Inc. In addition to his contributions in the area of education, Dean was a member of the First Baptist Church of Indianapolis for over forty-years. He leaves behind a legacy of inestimable value for people throughout his community.

H. Dean Evans of Indianapolis, IN died on Saturday, October 2, 2004. He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald Evans. Dean’s family includes his wife of fifty years, Veronica “Vera” (Pacala) Evans; three sons: Gregory Dean Evans, David Kent Evans and Michael Andrew Evans; six grandchildren: Matt, Lisa, Ellyn, Benjamin, John Andrew and Lauren Evans; and sister, Mary Ellen Vandivier.

Friends may spend time with Dean’s family on Tuesday, October 5, in the Leppert Life Story Funeral Homes - Indianapolis, from 4-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 6, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church. Please visit Dean’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or make a memorial contribution to the Shepherd Community or Washington Township Schools Foundation.

Husband, father, educator and citizen, Dean fulfilled every one of these roles with conviction, love and honor. His reputation, his accomplishments and his convictions will live on in the hearts of all who had the pleasure of knowing him.