GPN Editorial Advisor Larry Boven Dies in Helicopter Crash

The greenhouse industry is mourning the passing of one of its own. Fun-loving Larry Jay Boven, former owner of Boven¹s Quality Plants on H Avenue in Comstock Township, Mich., died Friday, May 16, when his helicopter crashed in the Chipman Preserve in Kalamazoo County. Boven was on GPN‘s Editorial Advisory Board and also used to own Boven¹s Quality Plants.

A witness reported hearing the helicopter’s engine quit and then crash in the wooded area in the 228-acre preserve owned by the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. The witness checked the area and called 911, the Michigan Gazette reported.

Boven, who was piloting the helicopter and was the only person on board at the time of the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the sheriff¹s office. He had several years of experience as a pilot but had only recently purchased that helicopter.

In an interview with local news channel 24 Hour News 8, Boven’s daughter, Laurie Pomeroy, said her father left in the same fashion he lived his life. Boven loved to have fun, was passionate about his business, flying, fishing, riding his motorcycle and life in general living life to the fullest, she said.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff¹s Department and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are both investigating the cause of the crash. The helicopter was a Fairchild Hiller FH1100. According to the FAA registry, there have been several accidents involving this type of aircraft.