Moya Olsen Lear, 1915-2001
Moya Olsen Lear was an American businesswoman who married aviation
pioneer Bill Lear in 1942. Much of their life together revolved around his career
as an inventor, especially in aviation electronics. After her husband’s death in
1978, Moya became chairman of the board of the multi-million dollar Lear Avia
Corporation.
The daughter of Olsen of the comedy team Olsen and Johnson, Moya was
comfortable among dignitaries and crowds. She threw heart and soul into
carrying on, both emotionally and financially, Bill’s last, great, unfinished project
– the “LearFan,” an innovative, lightweight business jet. Despite financial
setbacks, the airplane was completed; however, it never went into production.
She remained an important and beloved philanthropist in Reno until her death.
Carrying on the legacy of her husband and embracing the field of aviation as
her own would endear her to anyone with a pioneer spirit.
Moya Olsen Lear was an American businesswoman who married aviation
pioneer Bill Lear in 1942. Much of their life together revolved around his career
as an inventor, especially in aviation electronics. After her husband’s death in
1978, Moya became chairman of the board of the multi-million dollar Lear Avia
Corporation.
The daughter of Olsen of the comedy team Olsen and Johnson, Moya was
comfortable among dignitaries and crowds. She threw heart and soul into
carrying on, both emotionally and financially, Bill’s last, great, unfinished project
– the “LearFan,” an innovative, lightweight business jet. Despite financial
setbacks, the airplane was completed; however, it never went into production.
She remained an important and beloved philanthropist in Reno until her death.
Carrying on the legacy of her husband and embracing the field of aviation as
her own would endear her to anyone with a pioneer spirit.
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