Hearst was a native Atlantan. He attended Highland Elementary School on North Avenue which both of his parents also attended. Hearst graduated from Druid Hills High School in 1953 where he was president of the senior class. Thereafter, he attended Emory University, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. While at Emory, Hearst was a member of the Honor Council, Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and the ROTC. Upon graduation, Hearst served three years in the United States Air Force as a fighter pilot.
Hearst married Frances Deyerle in 1959. The couple soon added two sons to the family, Hamp and Matt, as they began building a life together in Atlanta that they would share for the next 66 years.
Upon the end of his military service, Hearst joined the First National Bank of Atlanta. While serving as a trust officer at the bank, Hearst attended Emory University Law School, ultimately obtaining his law degree in 1965. Thereafter, Hearst became a partner in the law firm of Stack and O'Brien, followed by another long partnership in Stowers, Hayes, Clark and Roane. Hearst spent the final years of his practice in partnership with his son, Matt, in Roane & Roane, LLP. Over the course of his 54-year career, Hearst served as Special Assistant Attorney General for the Georgia Department of Transportation handling condemnation cases. The pride and joy of his career was helping families make thoughtful estate planning decisions in life, as well as administering those same estates compassionately during times of loss.
Hears and Fran were long time members at Peachtree Presbyterian Church and it's "Seekers" Sunday school class. Later in life, they joined Roswell Presbyterian Church and were active members of the "Think" Sunday school class. Hearst's other meaningful affiliations included the State BAr of Georgia, Atlanta Lawyers Club, Atlanta Estate Planning Council, Cherokee Town and Country Club, and his membership on the Board of Councilors at the Carter Center.
Hearst and Fran enjoyed 44 years at their cabin on Lake Burton in north Georgia's Rabun County. The mountain retreat gave Hearst the opportunity to enjoy a long-lasting relationship with his cousins in nearby Tiger, Georgia. Hearst was an avid hiker, kayaker, generous bird feeder, amateur ornithologist,lover of all things in nature, and a friend to every dog he ever met.
Hearst is survived by his wife, Fran, his two sons, Hamp and Matt, his daughter-in-law, Tracy, his two grandchildren, mitchell and anna, his brother, David Roane, his two sisters in law, Faye Roane and Judy Windham, and and of course, by his dog, Teddy.
