Dick Huntington Hearin, Sr., a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, died peacefully on April 23, 2026, surrounded by his family. Dick was born on April 16, 1934, and had just celebrated an extraordinary 92 years.
Dick was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 35 years, Victoria Chiles Hearin; his grandparents, Stella and Sol Barman, and Ethel Lytle Hearin and Don Bussy Hearin, Sr.; his parents, Hazel and Don B. Hearin, Jr.; his brother, Don B. Hearin III; his son, Dick Huntington Hearin, Jr.; his grandson, Maxwell Mayer Preis; his stepdaughter, Susan Pierson of New Orleans, Louisiana; and his granddaughter, Anna Pierson of Phoenix, Arizona.
Dick was a true patriarch and mentor who adored his family and took great responsibility for building ties and lifelong friendships, both personal and professional. He enriched the lives of all those he met through his knowledge of art, history, music, business, and travel, exploring his passion for famous gardens worldwide. Of course, none were more meaningful than his own, where he shared his lifelong love of nature and the stately Southern oaks to which he had been rooted since childhood.
Dick grew up on Claycut Road near Ward’s Creek and attended Andover Academy in Massachusetts, before transferring to Darlington School in Rome, Georgia. He attended Louisiana State University and then transferred to Georgia Tech where he earned his engineering degree.
He began his career in 1956, working alongside his father, Don B. Hearin, Jr., at Hearin Tank Lines, continuing a family business that dated back generations in Baton Rouge. The family’s early business history, shaped by perseverance through the Great Depression, evolved into a long-standing relationship with Standard Oil. Building on this relationship with Standard Oil/Exxon, he developed Sunniland Pipeline Co. in Florida in 1965.
Dick expanded his focus into real estate and business development as Managing Partner of Hearin Properties. He also played an important role in Louisiana’s banking community, serving on the board of Fidelity National Bank of Baton Rouge and continuing as a director of Hibernia National Bank following its merger. He played a key role during the merger of Hibernia and Capital One when Hurricane Katrina made landfall in 2005. He was instrumental in the formation of Episcopal High School and the Hilltop Arboretum.
Dick is survived by his devoted wife, Janet Pierson Hearin, with whom he shared the last 31 years; his daughter, Victoria Hearin (Richard) Preis; his son, John O. (KK) Hearin; and Charyl B. Hearin; as well as his stepchildren, Lauren Pierson (Renny) DeVille, Kristin (John) Falgout, Jim (Karrie) Pierson, and John (Liz) Pierson.
His grandchildren, who were forever touched by his role in their lives, include Mellie (Trevor) Bailey, Huntington (Hannah) Hearin, Charlotte Hearin, Victoria Hearin, Jack Hearin, Sam Hearin, Thomas Hearin, Jordan (Michelle) Hultberg, Richard (Kelsey) Hultberg, KK Hultberg, Matt (Rosie) DeVille, John Michael Falgout, David (Sophie) Falgout, Paul (Evan) Falgout, Rachel (Philip) Moody, Katherine (Jack) Lydiatt, Joe Pierson, Caroline Pierson, Renee Pierson, and Jane Pierson; and his adored great-grandchildren, Rafe and Wade Bailey, Emery, Josh, Maren, and Henry Hultberg, Murphy, Dean, Noah, and Theo Falgout, and Tripp and Anne Marie Moody.
Services celebrating the life of Dick Hearin will be held Monday, April 27, 2026, with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. until the Requiem Service at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church. Burial will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park.
It is with the highest regard and gratitude that the family acknowledges the years of expert and compassionate care provided by Drs. Chastain, Broussard, Shoenfeld, LaVie, Hathorn, Annaloro, Pearce, and Couvillion, as well as the team at Pinnacle Hospice in his final days. The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to their dedicated friends and caregivers who provided compassionate, loving care and support during his life and final years: Father Donald Blanchard, Father Chris Duncan, Michele Meier, Janice Murphy, Shantel Duncan, Kendrick White, and Day Simmons.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, 4950 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.
