Obituary of Simon Malim EVANS

December 22, 1937 – Berkshire, England

November 26, 2019 – Calgary, Alberta

In mourning but with gratitude for a life well lived, the family announces the peaceful passing of Simon Malim Evans, of 81 years, in his home on Tuesday, November 26, 2019.

Simon was born in Berkshire, England in 1937. He was educated at Marlborough College and then at Peterhouse, Cambridge before serving in the Royal Marines. Leaving England, he went to the University of Montana on a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, where he met and married Stephanie Swanberg who would be his wife for fifty-two years. They returned to the UK and lived deep in the Cotswolds, and his daughter Emma was born in 1970. Thanks to a prestigious Killam Scholarship, the family returned to the west in 1971 and Simon earned his doctorate at the University of Calgary. Ben, his son, was born in 1974.

The next move was to Corner Brook, NL, which became home for the next twenty years. There he headed the Geography Department at Memorial University’s Sir Wilfred Grenfell College. His professional research centered on Canadian ranching history, including Hutterite culture, and he became a celebrated scholar in his field. During these years, he and his family shuttled between Newfoundland and Calgary many times, camping along the way. In 1991, Simon was invited to be the Project Historian at the Bar U National Historic Site for Parks Canada. His connection with Parks Canada and the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site continued after retirement in 1998, bolstered by weekly “meetings” at Bottlescrew Bill’s Pub, and culminated with the publication of his book on the Bar U in 2004.

Simon’s main hobby was reading. He was voracious and, in his own words, completely uncritical. Camping and exploring new regions was a passion he shared with Stephanie. He was also an active sailor, skier and hiker. He was also an active member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, where he helped lead bible study for more than a decade. He was quiet and thoughtful, and wore his humility lightly. Above all, Simon was a devoted family man, always supportive of their endeavors. They knew they came first in his life.

Simon is lovingly remembered by his wife Stephanie, his sister Julian; his daughter Dr. Emma Anderson and her husband Mark; his son Dr. Benjamin Evans and his wife Audrey; his grandchildren, Sophie and Dan; and his niece and nephew, Alison and Gavin.

A Celebration of Simon’s Life will be held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church (7 Sunmills Green S.E., Calgary, AB) on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Simon’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre, 1 Dermot Baldwin Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0P8, Telephone: 403-263-5707, www.calgarydropin.ca.

The family would like to thank Simon’s palliative care nurses, Helen, Sarah and Brennan for all their love and support.

A tree will be planted in living memory of Simon Evans. McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD SE, CALGARY, Ab, t2x 3j3,  Telephone: 403- 256-9575.