During the late phases of evolution, low-to-intermediate mass stars like
our Sun undergo periods of extensive mass loss, returning up to 80% of
their initial mass to the interstellar medium. This mass loss profoundly
affects the stellar evolutionary history, and the resulting circumstellar
ejecta are a primary source of dust and heavy element enrichment in the
Galaxy. However, many details concerning the physics of late-stage stellar
mass loss remain poorly understood, including the wind launching
mechanism(s), the mass loss geometry and timescales, and the mass loss
histories of stars of various initial masses. These uncertainties have
implications for stellar astrophysics, as well as fields ranging from star
formation to extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. Observations at cm
through sub-mm wavelengths that resolve the surfaces and extended
atmospheres of evolved stars in space, time, and frequency are able to
provide unique and powerful insights into these questions. I will describe
results from recent resolved imaging observations of nearby evolved giants
using the VLA and ALMA that exploit new advances in radio imaging methods.
I will also discuss the exciting prospects for advances in stellar imaging
that will come from new and upgraded radio wavelength facilities in the
coming decade.