Neighbors remember couple killed in crash with memorial
By JAMIE WETHERBE AND JOHN WOOD Daily Press Staff Writers
NORTH OF MONTANA — The pilot of the private plane that crashed into a house in Mar Vista this week was a veteran psychologist who worked out of a Santa Monica office at 26th Street and Georgina Avenue.
Colleagues described Paul Tobias, as a vibrant man in his early 70s who was devoted to his practice, and loved fly fishing, collecting photography equipment and driving his Porsche Boxer. Paula Tobias, his 60-year-old wife, was described as a former dress designer and artist who exhibited her work at area shows. The Malibu couple had no children. and people,” said Bruce Gordon, a psychologist who for the past 15 months shared an office with Paul Tobias at 270 26th St. “And flying was also a passion.”
The couple, who lived for more than 15 years near Coastline Drive behind the old Getty Villa, both perished in the 5 p.m. Tuesday crash. The Mooney Mark 20 plane they co-owned smashed into a house in Mar Vista a few blocks southeast of the Santa Monica Airport, where they were headed from Mammoth.
Authorities are investigating whether encroaching fog played a role in the fatal crash. The plane circled overhead before plunging into the kitchen of a home on Mountain View Avenue that neighbors said belongs to James and Pat Whiting.
James Whiting is a college professor who was at home during the crash, but escaped unharmed.
Though the plane was in contact with FAA control towers, it never touched base with officials at the Santa Monica Airport tower, manager Bob Trimborn said. Trimborn added the plane may have been south of the runway because it missed its initial approach. Both Paul and Paula Tobias were trained to fly the airplane, but only Paul Tobias was a certified instrument-rated pilot trained to maneuver through inclement weather.
Resident activists are gearing up for a Monday meeting of the Santa Monica Airport Commission, where they hope to address safety issues — as well as air pollution near the airport, a long-standing issue for some neighbors.
Will Bredberg, a dentist who owns the medical building where Paul Tobias worked, also happens to live on Mountain View and was there the night of the crash.
“We were home,” said Bredberg, who’s known Paul Tobias for 15 years. “We heard the sirens. We had no idea who was in the plane... until the next day.”
Officials from the LA County Coroner’s Office said Thursday they were comparing dental records for Paul and Paula Tobias against remains found at the crash. David Campbell, a spokesman, said he expects confirmation within the next few days. Authorities from the National Transportation and Safety Board said they were continuing their investigation.
Both Paul and Paula — a sculptor some friends called “Paulie” — worked with Stop Cancer, a charity that promotes alternative cancer treatments. They also volunteered in the arts and were outgoing, energetic socializers and world travelers, friends said. Colleagues said Paul Tobias was well-liked by his clients, and frequently worked with troubled youths.
“He was a cool guy. He was very young for his age,” said Nancy Rosser, a psychiatrist who has worked in the 26th Street building for 32 years. “He was youthful and full of energy. He always had a smile... We all knew him.”
A 90-minute memorial service was held Wednesday evening in front of the Tobias’ home in Malibu, where they’d lived for more than 15 years. Hope Stevenson, 37, their next-door neighbor of 13 years, said the couple will be missed.
“They were wonderful people,” she said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 19, 2004. Read the original PDF.