Evelyn Dewsnup

Evelyn Redman Dewsnup, aged 86, passed away on Thursday, August 5, 2010. Evelyn had lived at a ranch in Davis for almost 50 years with her husband, Stanley R. Dewsnup, and their five children. Born in Walla Walla, Washington to Wynn Henry Redman and Nettie Thompson Redman, she later spent her childhood in Portland, Oregon with her parents and elder brother Wynn. Her parents then moved to Sacramento, where her father was appointed manager of Dunn & Bradstreet Inc. After graduating from Sacramento H.S. she attended Sacramento Jr. College where she earned an A.A. degree in English. While there her interest in theatre became more intense. She had leading roles in plays and served as an assistant director. At the school she was a member of a prominent sorority, she became its president as well as the first female president of the schools student body. Transferring to Stanford University she continued her love of drama, graduating in 1946 with a degree in Speech and Drama. Evelyn participated in a unique course in radio broadcasting at NBC Studios in San Francisco where she enjoyed working with her colleague, Jack Palance. During WWII she was active in many wartime projects including the Red Cross and U.S.O. She and her future husband, whom she had met at S.H.S., kept up a correspondence after he enlisted and was commissioned as an officer serving the Army Air Corp as a bombardier-navigator in B-24s in the European theater. After the war Stan returned, as a Reserve Officer, to engineering studies at U.C. Berkeley and they were married on February 2, 1947. They lived in Berkeley where Stan finished his degree and Evelyn worked in radio at an Oakland station as Program Director. They soon moved back to Sacramento where their first child, Wynn, was born. In the following years they added to their family with Ellen, David, Daniel and Andrew. Evelyn and Stan purchased property in Davis in 1961 and built their home the following year seeing the ranch as a good place to raise their family. The home was designed and cooperatively built by Stan, who was a professional civil engineer, and his sons. Evelyn decided to continue her career by completing her teaching certificate, eventually going to work for Davis High School as an English, Debate and Drama teacher. She became adept as a coach with the Debate team coaching the team to several championships. Her real passion was with the Drama department where she enjoyed directing and producing many plays and musicals while working alongside the students. While working full-time as a teacher, she and Stan also completed countless hours of service with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where she found much personal satisfaction. Her service to the church and her faith were grounding forces and continued throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her brother, Wynn Redman, her loving husband Stan and her granddaughter Olivia. She is survived by her children Wynn (Jeannine) Dewsnup of Ogden, Utah; Ellen Dewsnup of San Simeon, CA; Dave (Laurie) Dewsnup, Davis, CA; Daniel (Julie) Dewsnup of Eugene, Oregon; and Andrew (Cathy) Dewsnup of Walnut Creek, CA; as well as 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren all of whom will miss her. There will be a viewing on Thursday evening, August 12th, at the Wiscombe Funeral Home (116 D Street, Davis, CA) from 6-8 PM. Services will be held on Friday, August 13th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (785 Elmwood Street, Davis, CA) at 11 AM. Interment will follow at the Davis Cemetery (820 Pole Line Road, Davis).

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