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| Washed ashore: This May 2008 file photo provided by family friend Maurice Mitchell shows Daniel Bobis on his wedding day in Point Lookout, N.Y. Bobis, 32, a math teacher and coach at Long Beach High School in New York, disappeared during an apparent surfing accident off the coast of western Indonesia on July 24, 2011. Local fishermen say they found his body about 20 miles (30 kilometers) from where he's last been seen. (AP/courtesy of Maurice Mitchell, Allison Caviness) |
Localfishermen Thursday found the body of an American surfer who went missing lastweekend in waters off western Indonesia.
DanielBobis apparently hit another surfer's board after emerging from the barrel of apowerful, 10-foot (3-meter) wave. His leash broke and his board washed toshore. A member of the search and rescue team said Bobis' body was found about20 miles (32 kilometers) from where he'd last been seen.
Bobis, 32,was a math teacher and coach at Long Beach High School in New York. He had beenvacationing with his wife, Rachel, on Sumatra island. She did not wish tocomment.
Friends inLong Beach, a seaside community on Long Island, said Bobis had seeminglyboundless energy. He played drums in a band, taught karate and was anenvironmental activist. At the school, he started a competitive surf team andwas head coach.
"Everybody'smourning," said Teresa Greifenberger, 53, whose son Jonathan is on thesurf team.
Schoolstaff members were calling bereaved students to let them know counselors wereavailable, she said. Some of the surfers were planning to paddle into the surfThursday evening and observe a moment of silence, she added.
SeanPearsall, 32, called Bobis a close friend. He said the news was devastating butthere was a measure of relief that his body was found.
"He wassuch a staple in the community," he said. "There were just so manypeople whose lives he touched. He did more in 32 years than most people do in80. He definitely lived his life to the fullest and that's how he was everyday."
His friendsare planning a benefit for the family in September. Pearsall said they alreadyhad an overwhelming response from individuals and businesses eager to donateitems for a raffle.
"Heknew the power of the ocean," Pearsall said, adding that Bobis was anextremely experienced surfer and swimmer.
"Itjust goes to show you that Mother Nature calls the shots, unfortunately."
