DEPOE BAY, Ore. (AP) – The body of a Clackamas man has been recovered a day after the U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for him near Depoe Bay on the central Oregon coast.
The body of 58-year-old Hoang Minh Tran was recovered from the Pacific Ocean Tuesday morning.
Callers reported to the Coast Guard’s Yaquina Bay station that they had found a body in the ocean. Tran was found wearing a life jacket.
According to family member’s Facebook posts, Tran was a high school counselor, an experienced outdoorsman and a well-known volunteer in Portland’s Vietnamese community.
Tran was last seen boating in his vessel Saturday evening near Depoe Bay.
Searchers used boats, a helicopter and drones to search for Tran and found wood, a life jacket, part of a marine sanitation device and a strobe light with the vessel’s name on it.
The Principal of Franklin High School, where Tran worked as a counselor, sent out a letter to parents Tuesday afternoon:
Dear Franklin Community,
This afternoon we received news from authorities, regarding Mr. Hoang Tran. It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that Mr. Tran’s body was recovered today, confirming our worst fears after he went missing off the Oregon coast Saturday. Mr. Tran’s family has been notified.
This is terrible news that impacts all of us at Franklin and our district. Mr. Tran was a beloved member of our school community and in his role as school counselor supported a generation of Franklin students. He will be deeply missed at Franklin and throughout the larger community where he served in numerous roles; but was best known for his role as a passionate student and parent advocate. Mr. Tran worked with a servant’s heart, always putting the needs of students first and his impact on our community will forever remain in our hearts.
We have worked with the district to provide a variety of supports to students and staff since yesterday, and those efforts will continue through this week and for as long as needed as we grieve.
Sincerely,
Chris Frazier
Principal
