A pilot who died in a helicopter crash in Cass County has been identified as regional developer and businessman John Zacher, The Bemidji Pioneer reported Sunday.

Zacher, 56, of Hackensack, was CEO of Walker-based Unlimited Peak, which acquires and grows small to medium-sized companies.

He died when his helicopter crashed into Ten Mile Lake on Thanksgiving. His wife, Vicki, was reportedly a passenger and swam to shore after the crash. She was then briefly treated for hypothermia at a local hospital.

The Cass County Sheriff's Department told The Bemidji Pioneer that Zacher's body was found Friday near the submerged wreckage approximately 150 feet from shore in 30 feet of water.

The Bemidji Pioneer reported Tuesday that Zacher was most known in Bemidji for his involvement in the development of Lake Bemidji's south shore.

Prior to leading Unlimited Peak, Zacher reportedly founded at least two other companies-including development company ShoreQuest, LLC and Next Innovations, Ltd., a Bemidji-based manufacturer and wholesaler of laser-cut wood products and other novelty items.

To read more in The Bemidji Pioneer about Zacher's community involvement and the projects he worked on, click here.