Richard (Dick) Allen Evanko
January 22, 1933 – January 3, 2021
On Sunday, January 3, 2021, Richard (Dick) Allen Evanko, loving husband and father of five, passed away at the age of 87. He was married to his wife Martha (Marty) for 63 years at his passing, and she misses him greatly.
Dick was born on January 22, 1933 in McKees Rocks, PA to Joseph and Pauline (Kabana) Evanko. He received his Civil Engineering degree from Penn State in State College, PA. He served in the United States Air Force in Plattsburg, NY. On June 1, 1957 he married Martha (Marty) Elizabeth Johnson in Clark County, Ohio. They raised four sons, John, William (Bill), Michael and Matthew, and one daughter, Ann Marie.
Dick was preceded in death by his father, Joe, his mother, Pauline, and his sister, Norma Jean (Evanko) Lofink. He is survived by his wife Marty, his five children, his brothers Robert (Bob) and Jim, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Dick Evanko was a kind and compassionate man who made everyone feel that they were a friend he had known for years. It’s often said that a person was so generous they would give you the shirt off their back. Well, Dick, would not only give you his shirt, he’d also give you anything else he had to help you achieve what you wanted, or what he thought you needed, no matter how strenuously you objected. Longtime friends and strangers were treated just the same; Dick would move heaven and earth to help in any way he could. He made friends and a lasting impression everywhere he went in his personal and business life.
While Dick and his twin brother Bob worked as engineers at their respective jobs, they and their wives became entrepreneurs. With their dad Joe, mother Pauline, and family, they turned a strawberry patch into a golf course and founded West Hills Par 3 and Pro Shop. They pioneered the mail order sales golf industry by being the first in the United States to sell professional golf clubs via mail order. Years later, Dick joined his son John at MHF Logistical Solutions as marketing manager. The many friends he made around the country still ask about him fondly.
Dick’s passion for the Steelers was legendary. It gave him immense joy to take the twenty season football tickets he had and create a spread sheet so that he could keep track of who was getting which ticket for each football game. And he would give you the map to the ultimate tailgate party that he insisted you attend while heading to the game. Steeler players and coaches were friends through the years, and you never knew who you would find in the kitchen when you came home from school. I remember Roy Gerela being there to visit on occasion while in route to the airport. Being a Penn State graduate, Dick also went to as many games as he could in State College, PA.
Dick’s love for his family was immense. He and his wife Marty made sure they traveled and attended all their grandchildren’s graduations and important occasions. They were also known around Pittsburgh for Marty’s Ski travel business and attended many events and parties while they organized ski trips for many people that became friends. The ultimate schmoozer, Dick loved working with his wife Marty, entertaining the many friends they made from around the country and organizing ski trips to Colorado and elsewhere. He remained an avid skier with Marty for years and last skied when he was 78 years young.
Dick and Marty were also usually the last couple on the dance floor. I remember many occasions when they outlasted kids much younger than they were. Dick will long be remembered for his outgoing and generous personality. He was the consummate host.
Due to the current Covid situation, a family-only service will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. Anyone that would like to attend the service via Zoom should contact a family member for information. A memorial service will be held in the future. Arrangements by Copeland.
In place of flowers, the family requests that those wishing to express sympathy send a memorial donation to one of Dick’s preferred charities. Donations can be made to UPMC Department of Urology, 128 North Craig Street, 107 Park Plaza, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
Always remember that his last breath on earth is his first breath in his new life
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Richard Allen Evanko, please visit our floral store.