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. Though famous by both marriage and birth, she was considered down-to-earth by those close to her. Lear earned a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University and 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, the intentionally humorously named Shanda Lear, David, and Tina.

References

• Boesen, Victor.They Said It Couldn't Be Done: The Incredible Story of Bill Lear. New York: Doubleday & Co., 1971. ISBN 0-385-01841-X.

Persondata
Name	Lear, Moya Marie Olsen
Alternative names	Moya Lear
Short description	American businesswoman, wife of aviation pioneer and inventor Bill Lear
Date of birth	1915-03-27
Place of birth
Date of death	2001-12-05
Place of death