Dr. Loren H. Evans

 Dr. Loren Harrison Evans passed peacefully on August 9, 2012. He was 82 years of age being born on Christmas day 1929. Dr. Evans was born in Polson Montana but until fairly recently lived in Pennsylvania where he practiced veterinary medicine as a professor of equine surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Evans graduated with honors from Washington State University and attended veterinary school at the same university. Subsequent to his graduation he received an appointment as an intern at the University of Pennsylvania where over the next 33 years he rose to full professor, chief of clinical studies, chief of equine surgery and was awarded multiple honorary chairs. In addition to his full plate of practicing accomplishments he conducted extensive research into chronic equine lameness and pioneered the first successful abdominal colon surgery, paving the way for saving once doomed horses. During his tenure at the University of Pennsylvania Dr. Evans worked on many very famous race horses including: Bold Ruler (sire of Secretariat), Northern Dancer, Romeo Hanover and countless others. He was frequently called upon to perform surgery all over the world. In 1972 he was invited to lecture at the South African Veterinary School of Johannesburg receiving an honorary citizenship and high esteem from both faculty and student bodies. Awards and laurels followed Dr. Evans until his retirement from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. After his retirement, Dr Evans returned with his wife, Phyllis Evans, to his ancestral home, the Flathead Valley. Here he replaced his surgical scrubs for blue jeans and his new vocation, cattle rancher. Although theoretically retired, he worked with the same dedication he’d given to veterinarian medicine…building up a sizeable herd of cattle, sowing his own hay and doing all things any cowboy would be expected to do. Dr. Evans is preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Phyllis J. Evans and four siblings. He is survived by his daughter Rebekkah Evans and her daughter, Stephanie J. Seymour and his son, Barry R Evans and his two children Lauren Evans and Ryan Evans in addition to many nieces and nephews. No memorial service will be held.