Moya Lear

Moya Marie Olsen Lear (March 27, 1915 – December 5, 2001) was an American businesswoman and the wife of aviation pioneer Bill Lear. Her father was vaudeville genius John "Ole" Olsen, whose Depression-era show Hellzapoppin' was the longest running Broadway hit in history. Her mother was Lillian, a strong and practical woman. Moya earned her bachelor's degree at Ohio State University and the Pace Institute in New York.

Moya was introduced to Bill Lear by her father in his dressing room in 1938 while she was writing "The Book" for the play. She told Victor Boesen that she

had dreamed of being a famous dancer, in the mold of Anna Pavlova and Nijinski, only to be told by her teacher that she would make a good jitterbug.[1]

Lear courted her and they were married "on a Sunday in 1942 when Son's 'o Fun was heading for a second run". In 1946 the couple moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where Lear conducted his avionics manufacturing and development. In 1967 the Learjet company was sold and the old Stead Air Force Base near Reno was acquired. Moya became active in the Nevada Opera Association, the Nevada Festival Ballet, and the Sierra Arts Foundation.

Though famous by both marriage and birth, she was considered down-to-earth by those close to her. She received a total of six honorary doctoral degrees. She devoted a substantial amount of time to philanthropy in the Reno, Nevada area. After the death of her husband, Lear attempted with investors to complete his innovative lightweight turboprop airplane, the LearAvia Lear Fan. The project ultimately failed to obtain FAA certification because of a gearing problem, and never went into production.

Moya and Bill Lear had four children: well-known pilot and UFOlogist John Lear, Shanda Lear, David, and Tina.

References

  1. ↑ Boesen 38

External links