Last Sunday 10th Feburary 2008 there was a gathering to commemorate 20 years since the passing of Derek Evans. Family and friends recalled stories of Derek, of times of their first meetings, what he meant to them and his untimely passing. It was a very special and strengthening occasion, and great to see such love and fond memories for Derek and for his family now. Here are some images from the morning and from the life of Derek, as donated by his brother Raymond, his inlaws, friends and family.

Many thanks.

Remembering Derek

Curriculum Vitae
Derek Garth Evans: 12.7.43 – 10.2.88

Education
1948 Camberwell South State School
 Primary Studies
1955 Malvern Central School
 Years 7 - 8
1957 Melbourne Boy’s High School
 Years 9 – 12
1960-64 Melbourne University
 Completed Bachelor of Arts (Honours in English. Thesis in Literary Criticism – “A Development of the Religious Imagination in English Poetry”)
1966 -68 Melbourne University
 Completed Bachelor of Divinity
1969
 Ordained as a Methodist Minister
1971 Mainz University, Germany
 Commenced PhD in Theology on Paul Johannes Tillich (1886 – 1965), a German-American theologian and Christian existentialist philosopher. Tillich is best known for rejecting Christianity’s theistic personal God in favor of a mysterious “God above the God of theism,” a higher God who is "not a [one] being." Tillich consummated his anti-supernaturalism theology in his three-volume Systematic Theology (1951, 1957, 1963).

Work Experience
1965
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Double Bassist

1969 To 1971
Minister Rushworth Methodist Church

1972
Teacher East Suffolk High School (Religion and Geography)

1972-76
Minister Wodonga Uniting Church

1977
Resident Clayton Uniting Church
Chaplain Monash University

1982
Minister Murrumbeena Uniting Church

Interests
 Religion: A minister in the Uniting Church, saw his role as being both a carer of others’ spiritual and welfare concerns. Advocated ecumenicalism and with Roslyn took the family to worship in different religious contexts, including a Passover meal at Monash. . Loved being a part of the diverse cohort of practitioners at the Monash University Religious Centre. Went on retreats to Catholic monasteries
 Music: Played double bass and later on the violin, with help /direction of Ruth Alexander began the Albury-Wodonga Border Music Camps, led the Murrumbeena Uniting Kids’ (MUK) Orchestra
 Family: Keenly interested in immediate and extended family and being based at home was able to engage in many aspects of family life like child-rearing, music practice, gardening and outings
 Friends: Had a great deal of interest in a wide circle of friends and colleagues from his many areas of experience and concern
 Politics/ Activism: Refugee advocate and supporter, peace and non-violence activism with People for Nuclear Disarmament, Amnesty, No Taxes for War protests with Robert Burrowes
 Gardening: Loved to grow vegetables, flowers and had fruit trees, had a compost on the go, chooks in the back yard
 Photography: often took family photos and encouraged his children to take photos
 Health: Had strong belief in alternative health models, and frequented naturopaths, homeopaths and Chinese doctors. Learned Chinese Massage. Diet was very important and he followed a strict vegetarian regime for the last 10 years of his life, and fasted on Mondays. Also saw a psychiatrist and took conventional medications to assist his bipolar disorder
 Writing: Wrote poetry and prose, and kept a personal diary of prayers and thoughts
 Bicyles: Enjoyed riding his bike everywhere and would visit parishioners to administer communion on two wheels

An informal gathrering to remember Derek Garth Evans, 20 years on, is happening at the Necropolis, Princes Hwy, Springvale, at 10.00 am, Sunday 10th February 2008.

Below are photos of Derek contributed by the Heymann and Newbold families. They are of Derek at Noel and Ron Newbold's wedding at the Religious Centre, Monash University, and at Noel and Ron Newbold's for Christmas.