Former Washington state governor and senator Dan Evans died Friday night at his Seattle home at the age of 98.
Evans was a popular three-term Republican governor, serving from 1965 to 1977 and serving as a senator from 1983 to 1989. He resigned after becoming frustrated with what he saw as an overly hostile Senate, according to the Associated Press. Reported.
The University of Washington, where Evans served on the board and whose school of public policy is named after him, announced his death on Friday.
“Daniel J. Evans, a former Washington state governor, congressman, university president, U.S. senator and our school’s namesake, will forever remain one of Washington state’s most distinguished leaders,” said Jody Sandfort, dean of the Evans School. He said in a statement.
Evans was known as a moderate Republican and an avid outdoorsman, and Sandfort said Evans' legacy was “uniting people together for a cause across party lines,” according to the Associated Press.
Until current Gov. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), Evans was the only person to be elected governor three times. Post by XInslee said it's hard to think of another Washingtonian who has “made such a positive impact.”
“All of us, regardless of party, can count ourselves fortunate to have seen the progress he's made over his three terms as governor,” Inslee said.
Evans was twice considered by President Gerald Ford as a potential vice presidential candidate, according to The New York Times. Reported.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, in February.
