Heartbreak for family after tragic West Yellowstone plane crash claims life of husband and father

SALT LAKE CITY (KSL.com) — A Lehi family is mourning the loss of a beloved husband and father who died in a tragic plane crash near the West Yellowstone Airport in Montana.

The crash, which occurred just a few miles from the airport, involved three people on board. Their bodies were discovered on Friday. Among the victims was 55-year-old Enoch Robey of Lehi — a father of five kids and two step-children who was pursuing his dream of becoming a commercial pilot.

Fighting back tears, Robey’s wife of five years, Brooke, shared memories of her husband.

“He was my best friend. He was my person — cut from the same cloth, ’80s kids,” she said. “I always think of him as a ray of sunshine. He would light up the room. He was so complimentary and kind to anyone that came in his path. Everybody felt like his best friend.”

Brooke Robey had actually lost her first husband to cancer 10 years ago.

She recalled the last moment she saw Enoch Robey before he left on what was a business trip for him to get more hours flying.

“He came home and grabbed me, put his hands on my face and said, ‘Brooke, look me in the eyes. I’m so happy. I’m so happy when I fly. Thank you for letting me live out my dream. I’m going to take good care of us and provide us with a flying career.’ I just never expected this to ever happen.”

Enoch Robey was flying with a close friend, a seasoned commercial pilot, and the pilot’s daughter. They were conducting nighttime training so Robey could log hours toward his certification.

Chris Kyler, Enoch Robey’s best friend, described him as “the kindest person.”

“Heart of gold. So nice,” Kyler said. “He knew people all over the world. I actually don’t know anyone more traveled than he was. He made friends wherever he went.”

According to GPS data, the plane took off from the West Yellowstone Airport at 11:54 p.m. Thursday. Just two minutes later, the signal was lost.

“There’s about 45 seconds where we don’t know what happened,” Kyler said. “It appears there was some weather in the area. But what I know about him is he wouldn’t take off in bad weather. That’s rule No. 1 for him. Right now, we just don’t know. You had three experienced pilots in this plane. It’s a four-person plane, and there were three in there. That means two pilots were at the yoke — one on each side. I don’t know who was flying or who was in charge.”

Enoch Robey’s family said their faith in God is helping them endure the unimaginable loss.

“We just have to rely on him,” Brooke Robey said. “He’s going to help us. Every day, we just need to stand taller and walk stronger and do our best to represent him and make him proud.”

The other victims in the crash were 60-year-old Rodney Conover and his 23-year-old daughter, Madison.

Enoch Robey’s funeral is scheduled for Monday of next week in Lehi.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help support the Robeys during their time of mourning.