Dr. Alfred Burney Evans, Jr., professor emeritus in the Department of Political Science, devoted educator, esteemed scholar of Russian politics and civil society, admired mentor, and beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on Oct. 10.

Evans was born in Denton, Texas, on July 31, 1939, to Alfred Burney Evans, Sr., and Sybil Gann Evans. He graduated from high school in Olney, Texas, before serving in the U.S. Army's First Armored Division. He earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees in government from The University of Texas at Austin where he met his wife, Carolyn, with whom he shared two daughters, Kathie and Laura. Specializing in comparative politics with special emphasis on Russia, Evans earned his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Wisconsin—Madison.

In 1971, Evans joined the faculty of the Political Science Department at Fresno State, where he was promoted to the rank of professor in 1979 and taught courses on Russian Politics, Russian Foreign Policy, Modern Politics, and Terrorism for nearly 50 years. Among his more than 50 published scholarly books and articles, Evans authored "Soviet Marxism-Leninism: The Decline of an Ideology" and co-edited "Restructuring Soviet Ideology: Gorbachev’s New Thinking, The Politics of Local Government in Russia, and Russian Civil Society: A Critical Assessment."

According to longtime Fresno State colleague Dr. Marn J. Cha, professor emeritus of political science, Evans “was truly a scholar in the best of the word. His publications prove it. He was steadfast in his research of his field and well known outside of the campus, among the Russian specialists. He was also a good citizen of the department, the university, and the community.”

Officially retired in 2007, Evans taught part time as professor emeritus until 2020 and continued his research until his death, assisted by his canine companions who laid beside him while he worked from home in the afternoons.

"Dr. Evans was a favorite of many students, respected and celebrated by his colleagues, and a cherished member of the Fresno community who remained very active in research, publishing, and volunteering his time to causes to improve the Fresno community. May his life be an inspiration, and his memory always be a blessing. Our thoughts are with his family and friends," said Dr. Lisa Bryant, professor and chair of the Political Science Department.

Fellow colleagues described Evans as a consummate professional who was always welcoming, supportive, and kind, passionate about political science, and devoted to teaching and research. He will be remembered fondly as someone who took a genuine interest in anyone he met, served as a mentor where he could, and remained committed to improving his teaching skills and expertise even after decades in the classroom. His legacy will live on through the long-lasting impact he had on the thousands of students who were fortunate enough to learn with and from him during his half-century spent as a devoted teacher-scholar.

Evans is survived by his wife of 57 years, his daughters, his son-in-law, Mark Long, and his grandchildren, Theodore and Vivian Evans Long.

At his request, there will be no services. Donations may be sent to Doctors Without Borders, Central California Food Bank, or the donor's favorite charity.