This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Great Salt Lake • A man who was killed when his single-engine plane crashed into the Great Salt Lake was identified Saturday by his family as Robert LaVon Moody, an osteopath who was the owner and clinical director of Biorestoration Medical Clinic in Draper.
The plane wreckage and Moody's body were recovered Saturday morning after a several-hour search of the fog-shrouded lake, said Tooele County Sheriff Paul Wimmer.
Family members notified authorities after Moody, who had taken off from Airport No. 2 in West Jordan on Friday, did not return from a solo flying trip as expected.
State Parks crews launched boats about 2 a.m. and Tooele County search-and-rescue teams covered the lake shore. The first debris was discovered about 5 a.m. and the body was recovered about 7 a.m.
The wreckage was located about 7 miles from the Great Salt Lake Marina just off Stansbury Island in an area called Eardley Spit, known to locals as Grantsville Bay, said Lt. Eric Stucki, with the state Division of Parks and Recreation.
Moody, 69, was described Saturday as an avid pilot who loved flying and a dedicated doctor. His sister, Megan Reardon, said the family is devastated by the loss.
"He was a cherished husband, father, brother and son — he was the light of our family," Reardon said.
Cindie Quintana, a family spokeswoman, said Moody's passion was helping his patients improve their lives and overall health.
"He lost his life doing something he truly loved," Quintana said in a written statement. "Dr. Moody also had a deep love for politics. He delighted others constantly with serenades on piano and guitar."
The family thanked law enforcement and search crews for their efforts. Funeral details are pending.
Twitter: @PamelaMansonSLC