The Sad & Sudden Death of Jeff Evans (WBPS)

Letter received from Jan Clements (Hon Sec) WBPS


​It was so sad to learn of Jeff's passing last weekend. We all thought he was on a gradual but slow path back to health after a major operation, but alas it wasn't to be.
 
Jeff was a member of Whitley Bay Photographic Society for some 15 years. He was a very active member with a keen interest in many branches of photography. He is our immediate Past President and was currently on our selection committee and programme sub-committee. Interestingly, his father, Tim, was also a President of the club as well as Treasurer for many years, and Jeff’s Mam, Winn, was also an enthusiastic member. Jeff travelled a lot for work but immersed himself in our club on retirement.
 
In 2008 he was the Club Colour Print Champion, in 2013 he won Print of the Year and the President’s Trophy, in 2017 was Advanced Monochrome Champion and again won Print of the Year and this year he won the Allan Potts Nature Trophy. 
 
In 2013 Jeff was awarded the Weir Trophy for best colour print in the NCPF Annual Competition with ‘Western Isles’. The same print had won the best individual entry award in the North Tyne area Interclub Competition in 2012, which Jeff won again in 2016 with his print ‘Ring to Enter’. He also won best individual entry in the North Tyne area PDI Competition in 2011 with 'Abandoned'.
 
Jeff was particularly interested in creating audio-visual sequences and developed a great expertise in this area. He was a trail-blazer in our club, teaching many other members to use the PicturesToExe (PTE) software over the years. Indeed, he was co-author of the online help guide for PTE, a tester for software updates and an active member of both the PTE forum and the Barry Beckham forum. Jeff was also an enthusiastic member of what is now the Northern AV Group where he gave a well-received presentation last year. In addition, he presented a great many AV shows on behalf of our club to outside community groups.
 
Jeff was a man of many interests. Golf, sailing, bowls, piano playing and gardening as well as his family also took up his time. Indeed in recent years he created 2 lovely gardens. He was also a qualified badminton coach. He was not content to do anything in a superficial way but always liked to get to the bottom of things and to learn to do them expertly. This was very noticeable in his photography where his skills in AV production and in the printing of photographs continually improved and had reached a very high standard.
 
He was always available and willing to help and advise other members and to share his knowledge with them. Jeff was the first person the other members turned to when needing help and support since he also brought a high level of IT expertise & wisdom in a variety of areas. He was not averse to turning his hand to a bit of DIY in the club premises when needed. Jeff was very sociable and enjoyed our club outings, joining in and supporting all our club activities and for some years organised our annual dinner. 
 
 
Jeff, you were always a pleasure to be with and we shall miss you enormously


Jeff's funeral will take place at Cullercoats Methodist Church. The Broadway. North Shields at 1.15pm on Fri 11th May.