Dan Evans, who has died aged 45 in a road accident while riding his bicycle, was a senior team leader with the healthcare research and development arm of Siemens, Healthineers. His contribution in particular to NHS pathology laboratories workflow and capacity was critical, especially in light of the post-pandemic healthcare backlog. Dan was also a keen cyclist and organic gardener.
Born in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Dan was the son of Pat (nee Taggesell), a teacher, and me, Tony Evans, a headteacher. When he was six years old the family moved to Bonby in north Lincolnshire, where Dan attended Worlaby primary school and Brigg comprehensive. In 1994 he studied for a biochemistry degree at Bangor University, Gwynedd.
Dan began his career as a laboratory technician in the products support team with Diagnostics Products Corporation in Llanberis, Gwynedd. When DPC merged with Siemens in 2006, Dan joined the Healthineers research and development team, rising to team leader in 2021.
Here his reputation grew as an effective listener who advised clients both in the UK and worldwide. He was in his element when it came to analysing and understanding data, acquiring the nickname Data Dan. On one occasion, during a team bonding weekend in the Lake District, he prepared a curry supper while dressed as a character from Star Wars to add an element of fun to the gathering.
Dan loved his work and his achievements were regularly recognised with commendations at Siemens, though he was always modest, saying he was just doing his job. His smile lit up a room, he was popular with colleagues and was always prepared to help and support others. No task was too small.
He continued to work throughout the pandemic, supporting NHS laboratories and working in hospitals across the UK and Ireland.
Dan met Jo Mitchell, a project officer at Bangor University, in 2005, and together they moved to Y Felinheli, where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends – his barbecues and curries were famous. He also developed an interest in organic vegetable gardening and they soon were almost self-sufficient in vegetables.
In his spare time Dan was a badminton player, angler and cyclist, and enjoyed nothing more than walking with Jo in his beloved north Wales. Many family gatherings were spent around the dining table discussing politics and social issues. Dan was a Labour party supporter and an avid Guardian reader. He had a sense of social justice that was reflected in his actions to help others.
Jo survives him, as do Pat and I, his brother, Gareth, and his nephew, Owen.
