Moya Marie Olsen Lear was an American businesswoman and the wife of aviation pioneer Bill Lear.
Background
Her father was vaudeville genius 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 was introduced to Bill Lear by her father in his dressing room in 1938 while she was writing "The Book" for the play.
Career
Moya earned her bachelor"s degree at Ohio State University and the Pace Institute in New New York 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. 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.
The project ultimately failed to obtain Federal Aviation Administration 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.