CHARLES (CHARLIE) EVANS – Board Member

Born and raised in Saint Paul, MN, near the shores of Pool 2, Charlie grew up exploring that shoreline from Meeker Island in the north to South Hidden Falls Park. As a child, his father owned a 14’ bowrider boat with a 70’s Johnson motor. They launched on area lakes and on the Mississippi River at Hidden Falls or Harriet Island (back when there was a boat launch there). He was fascinated with boating and water. His Dad bought a few more boats (the curse of always wanting something bigger) during Charlie’s youth, and he was hooked. He got his first boat in his 20’s (14’ Crestliner) and continued to explore the river. He learned many first lessons of river boating the hard way (like needing a radio and charts).

The river stuck with him, and he decided to earn his Merchant Marine Captain’s license (OUPV 6-pas). His dream was to start a wake boarding business on the Mississippi. One obstacle he encountered was that many people are afraid of swimming in the Mississippi (good thing he had 2 dreams and kept going to school). He hopes that working together with Friends of Pool 2 on our outreach and education initiatives he will be able to help reduce that fear of swimming for recreational river users.

Charlie attended Nativity Grade School, Cretin-Derham Hall High School, the University of St. Thomas, and the U of MN in Civil Engineering. He has worked as a land surveyor/grading foreman for many years with public and private Civil Engineering companies and agencies.  He is currently employed by the City of Saint Paul Public Works in the Street Design and Construction Department as a Civil Technician. He still considers himself a “river rat”. He is also a member of the Saint Paul Yacht Club, where he keeps his 36 ft. Sea Ray Sedan Bridge.