Richard E. “Pogo” Evans
Richard E. “Pogo” Evans passed away at age 59 on Thursday, October 6th, in Miami, FL after a prolonged illness from heart failure. A long time resident of Fort Lauderdale, Pogo was born in Macon, GA. He grew up working in his father’s boat-building and cabinet shop where he developed the skills that would serve him throughout his life. He served for two years in the United States Air Force in Viet Nam. He then embarked upon a career of boatbuilding and ocean racing that spanned the next twenty years. In between stints with legendary boat builders Palmer Johnson and Derecktor, Pogo served as the paid professional aboard Pat Haggerty’s racing yacht “Bay Bea” for several years, including the 1977 Admiral’s Cup in England as part of the US team. He also skippered Bevin Koeppel’s “Congere” before becoming part of the regular crew aboard Bill Whitehouse’s maxi-ocean racer “Mistress Quickly” for campaigns all over the world.
Pogo’s other passion was motorcycle racing. He became a sought-after restorer of vintage and classic machines. An accomplished machinist, Pogo’s work in recreating lost or unobtainable parts for rare and unique motorcycles was legendary. A friendship with German motorcycle builder Friedel Munch developed into Pogo becoming the USA’s foremost expert on Munch’s hand-built machines. Pogo was also a talented tuner and race-bike mechanic who supported campaigns at the premier tracks across the country, building both contemporary and vintage machines that were always competitive.
A larger-than-life figure with strong opinions, Pogo was nonetheless a loyal friend to all those who knew him. Well-read and articulate, he could converse knowledgeably with royalty or the man in the street and was always a thought-provoking dinner companion.
As a talented and self-taught engineer, Pogo exhibited an inquisitive and determined approach to everything that interested him, never leaving a question unanswered. His latest engineering discovery was how the Egyptian pyramids were constructed. He penned a book entitled “Ancient Egyptian Engineering” to be published soon. Pogo designed the nautical archeological exhibit housed at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center in Key Biscayne of the original ships bell from the famous racing yacht “Germania” designed by Max Oertz in 1908 in Kiel, Germany. 200 school children a day ring this bell and learn about the famous sailing vessel sunk off shore on Key Biscayne. Pogo also designed the Board of Trustee “Sea Turtle President’s Commemorative Award’s” for the Biscayne Nature Center. He is survived by two sisters, Susan Vine and Jacqueline Jacobs, extended family and a legion of friends in all parts of the world. All those fortunate enough to make his acquaintance will truly miss him.
Memorial service plans are pending and will be announced. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center in Pogo’s honor.
Editorial Note: According to John Long, Evans built racebikes for him, Richard Moore, Yvon Duhamel and Gary Nixon, among others. He also owned the motorcycle that Barrett Long raced in 2005.