Fossett Ties to Missouri Recalled

The search has resumed in Nevada for adventurer Steve Fossett, whose plane apparently has gone down. Fossett’s ties to Msisouri are strong—a graduate of Washington University and a longtime trustee. Two of his around-the world ballooning attempts began in St.Louis and Washington University served as the communications center for several of his flight attempts.

His wife is a graduate of Webster University, where school president Richard Meyers and his wife are close friends of the Fossetts. Meyers says he is "in schock." At Washington University, officials also are hopeful. Vice-Chancellor Fred Volkman says, "We’re all hoping for his sa return."

Fossett has been missing since Monday. He was alone and reportedly was looking for flat areas where he might try to break the world land speed record. The search is hampered because Fossett filed no flight plan.