Woodrow Eschler Evans Obituary (1921

(PLEASE NOTE SERVICE TIME CORRECTION) Born on August 14, 1921, in the home of his grandmother in Logan, Utah, Woodrow spent much of his childhood on the family ranch and farm in Raymond, Idaho. He was educated in nearby Montpelier, Idaho, before attending Logan High School, where he graduated in 1939. He attended Utah Agricultural College (now Utah State University) and then enrolled at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in Los Angeles in 1941. With America’s involvement in World War II, Woodrow received a commission in the U.S. Army Air Corps while completing his dental training. Upon graduation, he served as a dental officer during the remainder of the war at U.S. Army bases in San Antonio, Chicago, San Francisco and Denver, and he was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of captain. During his time in Los Angeles, he met Ruth Udall of Phoenix, Arizona, while both attended the Wilshire Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were married February 11, 1944, in the Mesa Arizona Temple. At the end of his military service, Woodrow and Ruth chose to make their home in Provo, Utah, where he established his dental practice. They raised eight children: Paul King Evans (Theone), Carol Janet Anderson (David), Jo Ellen Poulsen (Randy), Raymond Woodrow Evans (Susan), Noel John Evans (Cheryl), Kurt Udall Evans, Grant Alvin Evans and Leah Kristina Andrews (Kevin). He served in numerous civic organizations, including the Utah State Board of Dental Examiners, Kiwanis Club and Boy Scouts of America, where he was instrumental in forming the first Cub Scout pack in Provo and serving as Cubmaster. Woodrow served faithfully in many church callings throughout his life. His sweetheart Ruth died in 1976 after a lengthy illness. He later married Beth Andersen Whitaker of Provo, who likewise had recently lost her spouse to illness. He often said that he was blessed to have had the honor of being married to two remarkable women. Woodrow loved the outdoors and spent hours with his wife and children on camping, fishing and hiking trips. Summer vacations throughout the western United States and Canada were annual events. He was accomplished in golf and skiing, activities his children learned from him and continue to enjoy to this day. Woodrow began running for exercise in midlife and he excelled, winning numerous races and completing 20 marathons—the final one at age 80. He attributed his lifelong good heath to his dedicated exercise routine. Woodrow retired from dental practice in 1996, completing a stellar 52-year career. His patients often remarked about the quality of his work and the care he took in treating them. Woodrow passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2018, from causes incident to old age. Preceding him in death are his wife Ruth, his daughter Jo Ellen and his grandson Andrew Poulsen. Surviving him are his wife Beth, seven children, six stepchildren, 51 grandchildren and 121 great-grandchildren. Woodrow’s family expresses gratitude to the caregivers at Harmony Home Health and Hospice and the Courtyard at Jamestown Assisted Living for the loving and dignified care they provided during Woodrow’s final months. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 29, 2018 at the Oak Hills 6th Ward Chapel, 1960 North 1500 East, Provo, Utah. Friends may call at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center Street, Sunday, January 28 from 6-8:00 p.m. and at the church Monday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Eastlawn Memorial Hills. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com.