Honorees

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Year Honored
2009
Honoree
Dennis Hoyes
Agency
University of Michigan Health System Transplant Team
Agency City
Ann Arbor
Agency State
MI
Last Call
6/4/07
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
Dennis was a great individual, dedicated to flying with more than 4,000 hours in the air and an excellent track record. He was respected across the state of Michigan for his contributions of volunteerism. He would drop everything if someone was in need.<br /> <br /> Dennis Hoyes, 65, was killed in the line of duty on June 4, 2007. He was the chief pilot and part of a medical team of six on an organ transplant mission to save a life. Shortly after takeoff from the Milwaukee Airport, the plane crashed in the cold waters of Lake Michigan. There were no survivors.<br /> <br /> Dennis was a pilot with Marlin Air, Inc., located in Belleville, Michigan. He worked in the insurance industry as a professional pilot who flew executive flights. He flew the Survival Flight Cessna periodically for ten years. He was an adjunct faculty member in aviation at Jackson Community College, served on its advisory committee and gave flying lessons. He owned Birch Insurance Agency and also Alf Insurance Agency. He sold these agencies to begin semi-retirement in order to pursue flying. He operated Vector Aviation and was a volunteer pilot for Wings of Mercy which provides free air transportation to patients with limited incomes.<br /> <br /> Dennis was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting. He enjoyed taking his grandchildren ice skating and on big lake fishing trips. They also attended Michigan State hockey games.<br /> <br /> Honored 2009