USA Mourns Loss of Member Gary Evenson
It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our good friend and huge USA supporter Gary Evenson—retired assistant to the international president of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers—who passed away on the morning of October 29, 2022.
Gary shared this photo of his 8-year-old grandson with the caption “Nothing, I mean nothing puts a smile on a kid’s face like catching a fish…Take them fishing!”
“Gary Evenson was intense…intense about hunting, fishing, his family, his union, and yes intensely passionate about the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance,” said USA CEO and Executive Director Walt Ingram.
“His sudden and untimely passing leaves a big hole that represents so much of his life spent giving to others,” Ingram continued. “In his union, he was an organizer at heart. In his family, he was “Papa,” devoting much of his time in retirement to his grandchildren. In the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, he was passionate about sporting clays shooting and passing on his love of the outdoors and shooting sports to the next generation. On behalf of the entire USA staff, we extend our love and condolences to his family, friends, and Boilermaker union members around the country. USA Member #17 will be missed.”
In a survey the USA sent to some of its most active members earlier this year, Gary said, “I had always asked ‘Where is Labor’s voice in outdoor and conservation issues?’ The USA answered my question and allows me the chance to engage in my passion for hunting, fishing and trade unionism.”
In response to a question about the greatest value of the USA, Gary said, “I’ve seen firsthand the kids that have been introduced to the outdoors and shooting sports directly as a result of the efforts of the USA.”
The most recent example of that was when Gary volunteered at the USA’s first Boilermakers Kansas City Get Youth Outdoor Day on September 18 and assisted youth at the shooting stations.
“Gary was just a great man to be around. I am very happy that my last memories of him are watching him teaching kids to shoot for the first time in Kansas City,” said USA Shooting Programs Manager Chris Piltz. “I believe he was smiling bigger than the kids were!”
Gary Evenson assisting youth at the USA’s first Boilermakers Kansas City Get Youth Outdoors Day.
But Gary didn’t just attend USA events. He also stayed connected with the USA community in other ways.
Gary featured in Winter 2022 issue of the USA magazine.
“Gary and I had several really good conversations about reloading for an article in the USA magazine and about our Kansas City Get Youth Outdoors Day,” said USA Communications Manager Kate Nation. “He was always happy to share his outdoor knowledge and hunting stories, and he was passionate about getting kids engaged in the outdoors. The last correspondence we had was about the USA’s 2023 calendar, which features his photo and testimonial in September. He was honored to be included and excited to help promote the program.”
Gary was also a staple within the USA’s social media community.
“Gary Evenson was the definition of an engaged Union Sportsman,” said USA Digital Media Manager Charlie Fierstine. “He was a wonderful man, who was very outspoken about the things in life he loved—his family, the union, and being a sportsman. I feel grateful I was able to interact often with Gary through our social media channels. He, more than anyone I’ve known at the USA, would comment on posts, send in photos, and check in via messages regularly. I’ll miss Gary, but I’m grateful to know firsthand how far and wide his impact and legacy was.”
USA article Gary contributed to:
