EVANS OBITUARY
E. Burke Evans, MD, longtime physician and faculty member of The University
of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, patron of the arts, artist, musician,
collector, and dedicated supporter of historical preservation, died on Thursday,
April 12, 2012. He was holder of the E. Burke Evans Chair in Orthopedic
Surgery, and was known worldwide as an authority on cerebral palsy and the
orthopedic management of patients with severe burns.
Dr. Evans was born in Jewett, Texas, on October 28, 1921, the youngest of six
children. He spent his childhood in Waxahachie, graduating from Waxahachie
High School as Salutatorian of his class. He studied at Stanford University and
received his B.S. degree from Baylor University and his M.D. from Baylor
Medical School in Houston in 1947. Following his residency in Oakland,
California, he received an invitation from Dr. G.W. N. Eggers to come to
Galveston for an orthopedic residency at the University of Texas Medical
Branch, and in the more than half a century following he enjoyed a
distinguished career there. He was Professor of Surgery in the Division of
Orthopedic Surgery from 1965-1990, Chief of Orthopedic Surgery from
1965-1992, and Interim Chair of the Department of Orthopedics and
Rehabilitation from 2003-2005. His responsibilities and positions in scientific
organizations, his memberships in Scientific Societies, his honors and special
positions, his published research and scientific exhibits are numerous and
outstanding. At the time of his death he was Professor Emeritus in the
Department of Orthopedic Surgery.
Early in his medical career he became intrigued by the effect of burns on bones
and joints, and he began work with Dr. Truman Blocker in the burn unit, and
was for many years the only orthopedist doing so. He remained actively
interested in this specific area, continuing to provide insightful advice and
support to patients and colleagues by his daily presence at the Shrine Burns
Hospital until the week of his death.
In 1991 Dr. Evans received the appointment to the Ashbel Smith Professorship.
In 2003 he received the John P. McGovern, M.S. Award in Oslerian Medicine in
recognition of his compassionate care of patients. An ardent supporter of
UTMB, he contributed to such programs and initiatives as the Estelle Greenwalt
Orthopedic Education Fund, the E. Burke Evans Chair in Orthopedic Surgery and
the E. Burke Evans Orthopedic Research Fund. He was a member of the UTMB
President's Cabinet. In 2001 he created the Betty Lee Evans Nursing
Excellence Award and the Betty Lee Evans Nursing Professorship in memory of
his grandmother and sister.
Although he was a true giant in medicine in our time, that was only one aspect
of this Renaissance man's life. He was a pioneer of historical preservation in
Galveston in the late 60's and 70's, working closely with Sally Wallace,
Katharine Randall, and Peter Brink. In the early 1970's he served as president
of the Galveston Historical Foundation. He co-authored a book entitled "The
Small Houses of Galveston", documenting the distinguishing features and
history of early architectural styles. GHF awarded him its Spirit of Galveston
Award in 2007 for his longstanding commitment to its mission and spirit.
He purchased the old Sealy carriage house to prevent its demolition. It now
serves as GHF's Salvage Warehouse. He purchased the 1896 Gustafson cottage
and donated it to the East End Historical District Association to use as its
office. In 2008, the EEHDA named the pavilion in Darragh Park the "Dr. E.
Burke Evans Pavilion" in recognition of his generous donations to that
neighborhood park.
He was currently sponsoring a project documenting the development of
Waxahachie and creating an architectural guidebook to the city where he grew
up and which he loved devotedly.
In 2009 he received the Leonora Kempner Thompson Community Enrichment
Award in recognition of his artistic and historic contributions to Galveston. In
addition to his gifts to the Historical Foundation, he generously supported the
Galveston Arts Center, The Grand 1894 Opera House, The Rosenberg Library,
The Galveston Symphony, the AIDS coalition, and many organizations for
children.
Besides medicine, the arts, architecture, and good grammar (one of his many
passions), he loved music. A tenor, he sang in the chapel choir at Stanford, in
the old Baptist Church choir during his early years here, and then for many
years in both the Temple B'Nai Israel and Trinity Episcopal Church choirs. He
was a fine and creative chef. And he loved beauty. His home was filled with
his amazing collections of art, pottery, frames, funnels, and objects that
caught his fancy.
Dr. Evans was, indeed, a unique and colorful character. He was energetic,
productive, purposeful, lively, spirited, exasperating at times, but always
deeply caring and connected. His compassionate and generous heart, as well
as his wit and whimsy, made him a man without equal. A strong supporter and
encourager of artists and craftsmen, his non-judgmental acceptance of all was
a hallmark of his rich character.
Ronald Lindsey, MD, current Professor and Chair of the Department of
Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, wrote of Dr. Evans, "he ...became the
face of everything good about being a physician. He was a great leader, a
compassionate caregiver, ardent scholar, and humble gentleman who was truly
beloved by all."
He is survived by three nieces: Luanne Evans Klaras of Waco, Katherine
Herndon Westmoreland of Conroe, and Linda Wilcox Brown of Midland, and
many grand nieces and nephews, as well as a host of devoted friends
throughout the world.
A celebration of the life of Dr. Burke Evans, hosted by family and friends, will
be held at the E. Burke Evans Pavilion in Darragh Park, on the corner of Church
and 15th Streets, on Saturday, April 28, at 5:00 pm. Friends are encouraged
to arrive any time after 4:00 pm.to tie notes, ribbons, mementoes, and flowers
on the Darragh House fence that encloses the garden. In case of pouring rain,
the celebration will be held at the GHF Customs House, 502 20th Street.
The University of Texas Medical Branch will have a special tribute to Dr. Evans
Friday afternoon, May 18, at UTMB. Burial, at a later date, will be in the
Evans Family plot in Waxahachie, Texas. The family requests that memorial
contributions be made to the Galveston Historical Foundation, 502 20th Street,
Galveston, TX, or the Ellis County Museum, 201 S. College Street, Waxahachie,
TX, 75165, or to the charity of your choice.