Dr. Richard William Evans, 78 of Pittsford, NY unexpectedly departed this life on Monday, March 23rd, 2026.

Rick was born on December 24, 1947 in Binghamton, NY, to the late William (Bill) and Geraldine Evans.

Rick was raised in and around the Rochester, NY area. He Graduated from West High in 1966 before attending Saint Lawrence University and ultimately receiving his PhD in Cognitive Science from Cornell University. Graduate school was temporarily interrupted when he was drafted into the US Army to serve in the Vietnam War and stationed primarily at Long Binh Post.  He was honorably discharged with several medals and commendations in 1973 upon completion of his service.

Rick spent his career in Higher Education Administration, primarily at Finger Lakes Community College. He led the Information and Technology department as well as served as an adjunct Psychology Professor.  He was passionate about using technology to enable affordable educational access to students who wanted to further their education and careers.  During his tenure, FLCC appeared multiple times on the ‘Most Connected Campus in America’ list.

Rick was known to have varied, eccentric hobbies and talents. In addition to being an avid reader, he had an encyclopedic knowledge of movie actors, and loving to quiz his young children on actor names. He was also a talented chef, routinely producing impressive flavors and meals, putting special effort into holiday meals. He was known to produce and serve his own Chicken Makhani, Beef Wellington, Duck Confit, Lobster Bisque, and Escargot among others.  He produced a significant vegetable and herb garden every year, planned it deliberately and was still running a walk behind rototiller in his late 70s.  He liked the quality of the produce and recruited his children to do things like kill potato bugs and pick the harvest of green beans.  He also came to be a budding genealogist, who enjoyed regaling his family members on the intricacies of their lineage.

Many of Rick’s passions had a tendency to come together in, and around water.  Whether he was canoeing and kayaking with his family in the Adirondacks, teaching his children and grandchildren how to swim, or helping them to bait (and re-bait) hooks, Rick/Dad/Grandpa was always an eager participant whenever family was involved.  He was also an active birder, the car could not pass Montezuma State Park without visiting, whether his children were hoping to be home earlier or not.

Rick passed away suddenly with his wife Mary present.  He is survived by his beloved wife Mary, sons William (Lynda Huynh) and Thomas (Eleni), daughters Lauren (Jordan Hyatt), and Ainslie, his seven grandchildren: Madelyn Hyatt, Adrian Evans, Arielle Diggs, Jordan James Hyatt, Andonia Evans, Angelo Diggs, James Evans, and his brothers David (Sheree Usiatynski) and Robert.

Calling hours for the Family and Friends of Rick will be held on Monday March 30th, from 11-1pm followed by a Memorial Service at 1pm at Miller Funeral Home, (3325 Winton Road So. Rochester, NY 14623).  Internment will take place at Whitehaven Memorial Park (210 Marsh Road, Pittsford NY). Please consider a donation in Rick’s memory to either the Sierra Club or The Nature Conservancy