Evan Harper Ice

Evan Harper Ice , age 52, Lawrence, Kansas, passed away on August 5, 2016 after a heroic fight with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Evan was born on November 5, 1963 in Newton, Kansas, to Ted and Sue Harper Ice. He graduated from Newton High School in 1982, and attended the University of Kansas where he received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1986. At KU, Evan was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity—a fraternity that supports the ALS Association as its national charity.

Evan worked for 4 years for Boeing in Kansas and in Maryland, and in 1988, Evan married his wife of 27 years, Jill Redfern Ice. He returned to law school at the University of Kansas and earned his Juris Doctor in 1993, becoming a fourth-generation lawyer. In law school, Evan served as Editor of the Kansas Law Review, and earned membership in the Order of the Coif.

After law school, Evan joined the Lawrence law firm of Stevens, Brand, Winter, Lungstrum & Golden (now known as Stevens & Brand) and remained in practice at the firm for his entire career. He was active in the Kansas Bar Association, serving on the Board of Editors of the Journal of the Kansas Bar Association. Evan served for 15 years as the Douglas County Counselor, and he was a past President of the Board of County Counselors Association of Kansas, past President of Health Care Access and past President of the Douglas County Estate Planning Council. He also served on the Douglas County United Way, the Lawrence Schools Foundation, Lawrence Rotary Club, and many other organizations. Evan and Jill and their three daughters, Erin, Allix and Emily are members of the First United Methodist Church in Lawrence.

Evan was an athlete, competing in many triathlons and several marathons. More than anything else, Evan enjoyed his family, being a husband to Jill and a Dad to Erin, Allix and Emily. He loved attending the performances and other milestone events of his 3 daughters.

Evan began to realize that something was wrong during a run and later learned of the devastating diagnosis of ALS. He faced this disease with absolute grace and strength and was an inspiration to his friends and family. In 2014, the ALS Association’s Mid-America Chapter awarded Evan with its Tom Watson Courage Award; in 2015, the Kansas Bar Association presented Evan with its Courageous Attorney Award.

Evan did not face this disease alone. Many friends have provided numerous hours of support and comfort through these past few years. They have provided weekly lawn care, meals, overnight care, massages, reading time and helping with household chores. Evan’s law firm partners and staff were of particular support, assisting Evan so that he could continue to practice law as long as it was possible.

Evan is survived by his wife Jill; his three daughters Erin, Allix and Emily; his mother Sue Ice of Newton; his in-laws Lowell and Glorene Redfern of El Dorado; his sisters Laura Ice and Nancy (Ken) Schlup; and several nieces and nephews. His father, Ted Ice, predeceased him.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made in his name to ALS Association or the Lawrence Schools Foundation and may be sent in care of the mortuary.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 9th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Services will be held August 10th at 3:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont Street, Lawrence. A reception at Maceli’s will immediately follow funeral service for people to gather and celebrate Evan’s life.