Obituary: Evan McKinley Anderson

Evan McKinley Anderson 1986 ~ 2006 Evan McKinley Anderson of Salt Lake City, Utah died on May 26, 2006 as a result of a tragic accident while hiking in Yosemite National Park. Evan was born on March 18, 1986 in Littleton, Colorado, the son of Kirk McKinley Anderson and Rebecca Ann Dobbe Anderson. Evan attended Lowell Elementary, Clayton Junior High School and graduated from East High School in May, 2004. He was active in the A'Capella and Barbershop choirs, and was an Eagle Scout. He recently completed his sophomore year of studies at the University of Utah. A teacher once described Evan as being "morally gifted". By this she meant that he had a deep empathy towards others and a unique rapport with each of his classmates, friends and all who knew him. Evan was pure love, always giving generously of himself to others. Evan is best remembered by his family and many friends as a warm and kind person who loved the outdoors. He had the ability to make and keep good friends wherever he went in life. At the time of his death, Evan was on a grand adventure, living and working in the beach community of Santa Cruz and exploring the natural beauty of California. His outdoor passions included snowboarding, hiking, surfing, boating at Lake Powell, playing golf with his dad, and climbing boulders in the Mojave Desert with his mom. He loved creating music and learning songs on his guitar. Evan will be missed deeply by his family and friends. He is survived by his mother and father, his grandfather, Mark Kermit Anderson and his grandparents, Frank A. and Barbara J. Dobbe; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Gwen M. Anderson and his uncle, Charles A. Dobbe. A private memorial service in celebration of Evan's life will be held at Red Butte Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Evan's name to the Make a Wish Foundation.