Robert Bevan Evans (1938–2025)
An accomplished geophysicist in research, mapping and mineral exploration across 50 countries
Robert Evans (© Larry Thomas)
Robert Evans was born in London to Welsh parents. He attended Reigate Grammar School, Surrey, before taking his degree at Aberystwyth University in 1960. Rob then obtained a Diploma of Imperial College in applied geophysics at the Royal School of Mines in 1961 and an MSc in geophysics at Imperial College London the following year.
A globetrotting geophysicist
After serving as a Military Geophysicist with NATO Supreme Allied Command Atlantic Anti-Submarine Warfare Research Centre in La Spezia, Italy, Rob joined the Uganda Geological Survey in 1963. He was part of the Overseas Services Aid Scheme where he served as Resident Geophysicist and carried out airborne, magnetic and radiometric surveys in mineralised districts. This was followed by further geophysical surveying for the Overseas Geological Survey, part of the British Overseas Development Ministry (ODA), covering countries in Africa and South America.
Rob then joined the Institute of Geological Sciences Applied Geophysics Unit in 1968 and continued survey work overseas and in UK. In 1972, he took a residential posting for one year with ODA as an advisor to the Korean Geological Survey studying tungsten and uranium deposits. To the Koreans he was instantly recognisable due to his height and black beard, for which his ability to grow, remove and grow it again was legendary!
Rob was instantly recognisable due to his height and black beard, for which his ability to grow, remove and grow it again was legendary
Two secondments to the United Nations Development Programme resulted in Rob and his family spending four years in Argentina, during which time his daughter Laura was born. Upon returning to the renamed British Geological Survey (BGS) in 1982, Rob was responsible for overseas geophysical operations worldwide, including rapid mapping in Wales. He became Deputy Head of Applied Geophysics UK Unit and was involved in geothermal studies and an airborne gravity survey of mid-Wales.
Rob became Manager of BGS Regional Geophysics in 1990, Regional Geologist Asia in its International Division in 1991, and Assistant Director and Acting Head of BGS International in 1994. As Regional Geologist Asia and Americas, he supervised all BGS operations in these areas, including funding from governments, banks and private companies.
Rob retired in 2002 and continued as an independent geophysical consultant to private companies.
Service to science
During his career, Rob was a committee member of the Association of Geoscientists in International Development (1989-98), a Member of the European Association of Exploration Geophysicists, Member of the Argentine Association of Geologists, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Fellow of the Geological Society of London.
In addition to his geophysical commitments, Rob was active in the Institute of Professional Civil Servants and notably took up the cause to establish British nationality for children born to those personnel serving overseas.
A life of passion
Rob married Jen in 1969 and they had two children, David and Laura. Although he travelled extensively, they enjoyed living in Patagonia where there are many Welsh descendants of the original settlers. After retirement, he and Jen travelled to Russia and former USSR countries as well as Eastern Europe, helped by Rob being able to read Russian. He had an amazing ability to pick up languages as he travelled.
As a passionate Welshman, the Welsh language and rugby team were particularly close to Rob’s heart. Also, he had competed in athletics when he was younger and took up the javelin again when he was 70, making the UK all-time list for javelin in the over-70 age group.
Rob was an outstanding professional scientist, a wonderful colleague and friend. He died in September 2025 aged 87 and will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all those who met him across the world.
By Larry Thomas and Laura Evans
