Evan Ralph "Chip" Hughes

Evan Ralph “Chip” Hughes, 76, of Manchester, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, August 28 at the University of Iowa Hospital as a result of an accident. Memorial service: Friday, September 12 at 2:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. Friends may call from 12:00-2:00 p.m. prior to the service. A private family burial will precede his memorial service. A Celebration of Life will be held at Hart Ridge Golf Course in Manchester on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Survivors include his two daughters, Jennifer (Kerry) Jennings of Wilton, Iowa, and Carrie (Tyler Lein) Hughes of Phoenix, Arizona; one granddaughter, Grace Jennings of Wilton; his partner, Carol Pohlman of Manchester; his sisters, Ellen (Gene Stanley) Engstrom of Elburn, Illinois, and Ann (Bob) Schley of Marion; and several nieces and nephews.

He was born on March 15, 1949, in Cedar Rapids to Ralph and Ruth Hughes. He married Cathy Ann Rummells on June 5, 1970. Evan graduated from Jefferson High School and University of Iowa.

Chip was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids, where he served as a deacon, an elder, and at the time the youngest trustee in the congregation’s history. Early on, he worked for the state of Iowa as a member of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He was a visionary, and owned Hughes Landscaping, designing and maintaining the landscape in various places including Westdale Mall. He also owned Hughes Development and built many homes in Cedar Rapids, serving a term as president for the Iowa Homebuilders Association. He was an entrepreneur, opening several restaurants in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Manchester, and was the manager of the Manchester Golf Club. Chip served the city of Cedar Rapids on city council in the 90’s as the Parks and Recreation Director. In his later years, he was involved in real estate.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Barbara Hughes, his beloved wife Cathy, and two nephews.