It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Evan F. Pizer, M.D. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in his home in Shorewood Hills, Wisconsin after a long illness. He was surrounded by his loving family. 

Born on November 2, 1932 to Nathan and Mabel (née Sernovitz) Pizer, Evan grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduated from Washington High School in 1950, and then the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1956. Ultimately, he graduated from the UW Medical School in 1959. After a one-year Army medical internship followed by a 2-year on the job training at Valley Forge Army Hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, Evan returned to the UW for a residency in psychiatry, where he was in the very first class to train in the newly-accredited child psychiatry program.

Evan then opened a successful private child psychiatry practice which spanned more three decades until his retirement in 1999. For many years Evan also served as an Associate Clinical Professor at the UW Medical School and in consulting roles to the Dane County Mental Health Center, the Marathon County Health Care Center, and to the Mental Healthcare Clinics in Beloit and Janesville. In 1997 the American Psychiatric Association elected Evan to be a prestigious Life Fellow in recognition of his significant contributions to psychiatry. 

During his first year of medical school, Evan met a certain 18-year-old sophomore English and French secondary education major (who’d eventually get her masters in counseling psychology) from Detroit via Cleveland named Jane Sampliner. They were set up on a blind date. They married a year later - and made sure to attend their 7:45 AM classes the next morning. They recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. 

Evan recalled that his hometown friends thought he was crazy to attend the UW with its reputation as an ideological hotbed, but he was drawn to its academic reputation. Grateful for the education and opportunities it gave him and his children, he and Jane spent their lives committed to the UW and to Madison. The four Pizer children all attended the UW, and across three generations the family has earned ten UW degrees. Over the years, they became lifetime members of the UW Union, the UW Foundation, the Bascom Hill Society, and the Wisconsin Alumni Association. They have also been longtime supporters of the Allen Centennial Gardens on campus and the UW Arboretum.

Evan continued learning throughout his life, auditing classes at the UW in astronomy and ancient history; actively participating in the UW-affiliated Plato Society, a senior learning program; and volunteering at the UW Institute of Discovery.

In addition to his love of learning, Evan had many hobbies. He enjoyed playing tennis - from early Pizer family doubles tournaments to later hard-fought singles matches with his son Jon - up until just a few years ago. He also loved reading and listening to music; his multi- component stereo system and extensive record collection were well-known in the community and by all who visited the Pizer household. 

His deep love of boats, cars, and pets was also renowned. Evan maintained boats in Madison for decades - from their first boat “Stelazine” (named for the leading anti-depressant of the day) to "Bacchus” to today’s “Bacchus II” - still cruising the lakes and rivers of Wisconsin by the Pizer family, especially his youngest child Alan. But he nurtured and maintained his sports cars even more: from the orange 1972 Datsun 240Z to the emerald green 1996 Dodge Stealth to the silver 2004 Nissan 350Z (that drives on in Stuart, Florida with his eldest son Steven) and all the other cars in between. His beloved dogs (especially Charlie) and cats (especially his daughter Laura’s bestie Taj!) also received Evan's devotion and attention (although with less polishing and fewer tire rotations).

 Together, he and Jane traveled the world extensively - to Western and Eastern Europe, China, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Israel, Egypt and Mexico. But nothing compared to their trips to Pasadena, California for the Wisconsin Badger’s two Rose Bowl victories - a just reward for their over half a century of loyal attendance at UW home football games (not to mention hockey, basketball, volleyball, tennis and multiple other sports). Woe be those who had the audacity to schedule a wedding, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or other major family event that conflicted with a Badger home football game; alas, Evan and Jane would be “unable to attend.”

Despite decades of health challenges, Evan never stopped fighting or giving up hope. The family is grateful to all of the doctors, nurses, health professionals, caregivers and friends for their limitless care and support over the years. The family would like to express special gratitude to Dr. Aric Hall, Autumn Benton, and the staff of Agrace Home Hospice, especially Isaac Hecimobich. 

Evan is survived by his wife Jane Sampliner Pizer; his four children: Steven, Laura Pizer Gueron (Ioni Gueron), Jon “Yoni” (Brad Lippitz), and Alan (Cheryl Brattlie); his eight grandchildren: Michael (Katie Hua), Vitali, Noah, Eliana, Max, Jack-Jack, Zoe and Naomi; and 2 great-grandchildren: Ethan and Madeleine. He is also survived by his brother Larry and sister Ellen Pizer Kupersmith (Danny Kupersmith) and their son Nathan.

There will be a celebration of life on Sunday, July 19, 2026, 2:00-4:00 PM in the Atrium at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Avenue in Madison. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Nature Conservancy - Wisconsin Chapter; the UW Foundation in Evan Pizer’s memory to support the Integrated Liberal Studies Fund 112909190; Groundswell Conservancy; or to the charity of your choice