Friends Rally For Family Of Man Killed In Plane Crash

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — The community is opening their hearts to help the family left behind after a beloved Southampton businessman was killed in a plane crash in California this month.

"On Saturday, December 9, Robert and Dawn Stelling Jr. were in a horrific small plane crash in San Diego, California in which Robert lost his life. Luckily, Robert's devoted wife Dawn survived this terrible tragedy," a GoFundMe page, "Robert Stelling Jr. Family Fund," created by Barbara Sforza and Jamie McNamara, said.

"Robert and Dawn have three beautiful children. They are beloved by our Southampton community, and have both touched, inspired and helped inumerable amounts of people. We mourn the sudden loss of Robert and our hearts are broken for Dawn and their children. Now they need our help and support," the page said.

"Aside from being friends with the family, we cannot imagine the pain, anguish and helplessness of losing a husband and father, let alone in such a sudden and tragic way," creators of the page added.

The account was set up with a beginning goal of $50,000 to provide the Stelling family with support "when they are able to start piecing their lives back together with whatever the family determines they need as they begin to recover from this tragedy," the page creators said. "Dawn Stelling will be the only person to access these funds. Remember to hug your loved ones every day."

Stelling, the owner of Southampton's Peconic Beach and Tennis Club was killed when a plane in which he was a passenger crashed into a home in San Diego.

Patch reported that the plane crashed at about 4:30 p.m. in the 6000 block of Chandler Drive near Mt. Abernathy Avenue in the Clairemont neighborhood, according to Sgt. Jordan Wells of the San Diego Police Department.

Four people were in the plane. Two died and two were hospitalized, fire officials said

The wreckage erupted in flames shooting toward the sky. Billowing black smoke could be seen for miles.
CBS affiliate KFMB quoted San Diego Fire-Rescue Department chief Brian Fennessy, who said the plane's pilot reported a catastrophic engine failure shortly after takeoff from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.
CBS News reported that although no one was home at the time of the crash, a dog on the property died.

Friends turned to social media to mourn Stelling after his death.

"I've known Robert Stelling since I was 12 and he was truly always the nicest and most genuine person I've known all our lives," wrote Richard Spettell, who said he'd known Stelling since he and his brother were invited to vacation with the Stellings since they were kids. Years later, Stelling showed him photos of those special times, he wrote. "Rest in peace, dear Robert, you were loved by so many. So shocking and tragic and sudden. Prayers for Dawn, the kids and the family."

Raymond Los wrote, "He and his wife Dawn are amazing human beings and valued members of the Southampton community."

Photo courtesy GoFundMe.