Ronald Evans (astronaut)

Ronald Ellwin Evans Jr. (November 10, 1933 – April 7, 1990), (Capt, USN), was an American naval officer and aviator, electrical engineer, aeronautical engineer, and NASA astronaut. He was one of 24 people to have flown to the Moon.

Ronald E. Evans Jr.
Born	(1933-11-10)November 10, 1933 St. Francis, Kansas, U.S.
Died	April 7, 1990(1990-04-07) (aged 56) Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
Nationality	American
Other names	Ronald Ellwin Evans Jr.
Alma mater	University of Kansas, B.S. 1956 NPS, M.S. 1964
Occupation(s)	Naval aviator, engineer
Awards
Space career
NASA Astronaut
Rank	Captain, USN
Time in space	12d 13h 52m
Selection	1966 NASA Group 5
Total EVAs	1
Total EVA time	1 hour 5 minutes
Missions	Apollo 17
Mission insignia
Retirement	March 15, 1977

Biography

Early life and education

Evans was born on November 10, 1933, in St. Francis, Kansas. His parents were Clarence Ellwin Evans (1911–1985) and Marie A. Evans (née Priebe; 1913–1992). He had two siblings, Larry Joe Evans (1935–1951) and Jay Evans.^[1] He was active in the Boy Scouts of America. He achieved its second highest rank, Life Scout. He graduated from Highland Park High School in Topeka, Kansas in 1951. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kansas in 1956.^[2] He received a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1964. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi, Society of Sigma Xi, and Sigma Nu.^[3]

NASA career

Main article: Apollo 17

Evans was one of the 19 astronauts chosen by NASA in April 1966.^[4] He served as a member of the astronaut support crews for the Apollo 7 and Apollo 11 flights. He was in the backup Command Module Pilot for Apollo 14.^[3][5]

"Hot diggety dog!"

Evans, upon taking his first steps in space.^[6]

The Blue Marble, an iconic photograph of Earth, is credited to the three crewmen of Apollo 17.

Later years

Evans retired from NASA in March 1977. He wanted to get a career in the coal industry.^[3] Later, he worked with Western American Energy Corporation in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was Director of Space Systems Marketing for Sperry Flight Systems.^[7]

He died in his sleep of a heart attack in Scottsdale, Arizona, on April 7, 1990. He was survived by his widow Jan, his daughter, Jaime D. Evans (born August 21, 1959), and his son, Jon P. Evans (born October 9, 1961).^[8]