Roderick (Rod or Rick) Noel Evans, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and proud veteran, passed away March 13, 2025 at the age of 79 at Maple Glen Memory Care in Glen Ellyn, Ill., from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
Roderick is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 33 years, Martha (nee Cowell); his loving children, Jennifer Evans, Christopher (Maria) Evans, Luke (Kari) Martin, Abbie (Brian) Moore; his cherished grandchildren, Jake and Delilah Ferguson, Joseph, Andrew and William Martin, Anna and Connor Moore; his dear brothers, Randy (Sue) Evans and Rudy Evans; his brother-in law, David (Kay) Cowell; and loving nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Noel and June (Briggs) Evans; his mother-in-law, Virginia Cowell, his father-in-law, Robert Cowell; and his former wife Jean Barganski (mother of Jennifer and Christopher).
Roderick grew up in his beloved Bloomfield, the eldest son of Noel and June Evans. He graduated from Davis County Community High School in 1963 and went on to earn his bachelor of business administration degree in accounting in 1967 from the University of Iowa.
After graduation, he moved to Chicago and joined the staff of the accounting firm Arthur Young & Co. His tenure was interrupted by two years of service in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in South Korea, where he served in Finance as an auditor for the Office of the Comptroller. After his military service, Rod returned to Chicago and Arthur Young. He became a Certified Public Accountant.
In 1975, he joined Molex Inc., a global electronics manufacturer headquartered in Lisle, IL. He was the company’s U.S. controller until 1991, when he opened his own tax and accounting business, Roderick N. Evans, CPA, LTD. He retired in 2018.
Rod was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Naperville, where he worshipped for 32 years. He served for a time as the church treasurer.
Visitation was held on Monday, March 17, 3 -8:30 p.m. (funeral service at 3 p.m.) at Fredrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S Mill Street, Naperville, Ill. 60563. Burial will be on Tuesday, March 18 at 12:30 p.m. at Bethel Cemetery at Bethel Baptist Church, 1919 N 1000 East Rd, Taylorville, IL 62568.
The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, any memorial contributions go to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.
