The Trusted Adviser
April-May 2018 | Volume 11 · Number 3

In Memoriam Richard O. Hart - ATG Founder, Directorm Past Chairman, Member, and Friend - December 13, 1927 - March 12, 2018

ATG recently lost one of its longest friends and most ardent supporters, Richard O. Hart, of Benton, Illinois.

Dick Hart has a long, rich, and personal history with ATG. He was one of the five lawyers who founded ATG in 1964 along with Stanley Balbach, Wilbur Capps, John Satter, and James Elson. Dick served on the ATG board from 1964 until his retirement some 40+ years later. He worked on several committees and held multiple offices, including a term as board chairman from 1994-1996. He was a mentor to many ATG employees, most significantly, a young law student named Peter Birnbaum whom Dick took under his wing in the early 1980s. As importantly, he was always in the trenches as an active and top-issuing ATG member who faithfully served clients and took seriously his responsibilities to his clients and the profession.

Dick received a BA degree in 1951 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a JD degree in 1954 from Washington University, St. Louis. By the late 1950s Dick knew from personal experience that the erosion of the lawyer's role in real estate transactions was real, and he knew it wasn't good for consumers. Like Stan and the other founders, Dick was of a singular vision—if things continued on the current path, consumers would have no guidance in the single biggest financial transaction of their lives and lawyers would lose an area of practice. Dick and the others knew they must work to preserve both.

When Dick began practicing with his father and uncle's firm in 1954 in his hometown of Benton, he may not have realized he was signing on for life. The Hart law firm is one of the oldest continuous firms in the state, founded in 1887. He practiced law in the same building on Benton's town square that had been in his family for two generations prior. Read a brief history of the Hart law firm.

His practice concentrated in real estate, probate and trust, and elder law. He served in the Illinois General Assembly from 1968-1978, where he made many important contacts and deep friendships. Dick never wavered from his support of ATG's founding principles throughout his law practice, and even during retirement. He was well known as a man of integrity, respected by all.

His list of community and professional achievements is long. Highlights: Laureate in the ISBA Academy of Illinois Lawyers; Southern Illinois University School of Law Founders' Medal (awarded to those who have made a life-long contribution to the legal profession and legal education); ISBA Board of Governors Award; and ISBA Senior Counsellors Award.

Dick was a member of the Franklin County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, American Law Institute, American College Trusts and Estates Counsel, Illinois General Assembly 1968-1978 and Board of Governors.

His son, Murphy Hart, has been carrying on the family legacy since 1983 and continues to enjoy practicing law, serving Benton and the surrounding community. Murphy was voted in to his Dad's spot on the ATG board when Dick retired from its service in 2007.

Above all, Dick loved his family. ATG extends its deepest sympathy as well as heartfelt gratitude to Dick's wife of 66 years, Carolyn, their two sons, Murphy C. Hart and wife, Jody, of Benton, Paul R. Hart and wife, Kim, of Tampa, Florida; and their three grandchildren and one great granddaughter, other family members, and notably Mr. Hart's longtime assistant, Edie Jones and her husband, John, of Benton. View Dick Hart's obituary.

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The original founders of Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. in 1989. From left: John Satter (Pontiac, Ill.); Wilbur Capps (Carthage, Ill.); Richard Hart (Benton, Ill.); and Stanley Balbach (Urbana, Ill.).
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Richard Hart advocated for real estate attorneys throughout his career, which included ten years in the Illinois Legislature.  Pictured here with Peter J. Birnbaum just before their meetings at the White House in Washington, D.C., 1995. 
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Richard Hart with his wife of 66 years, Carolyn.
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The law firm Hart & Hart was a family law firm for more than 130 years. Pictured here in 1987 are two generations of Hart attorneys, from left: Murphy Hart, William Hart, and Richard Hart.
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Richard Hart with his son and partner Murphy Hart in 2000.
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A huge crowd gathered for Richard Hart's retirement party, during which we presented Habitt for Humanity of Franklin County with a donation in honor of Mr. Hart. From left: Courtney Cox (then with Hart & Hart, now of Carbondale); Murphy Hart; Gail Borten from Habitat for Humanity; Richard Hart; ATG Board member William Austin (Effingham, Ill.); and Jerry Gorman, ATG Senior Vice President - Downstate Operations (Champaign, Ill.).
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Richard Hart (left) is congratulated on 50 years in practice by fellow ATG Board member, the late James Molenaar (Lansing, Ill.).
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The ATG Executive Committee during Richard Hart's 1994-1996 tenure as Chairman. Standing from left: Walter O'Brien (O'Brien and Associates, Oak Brook, Ill.); James Molenaar (Huck Bouma, Lansing, Ill.); David Murray (Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson, PC, Sterling, Ill.); and Daniel Marsh (D.A. Marsh, Jr. & Associates, Chicago, Ill.). Seated: Thomas LeChien (Old Title & Escrow Services, Inc., Belleville, Ill.) and Richard Hart (Hart & Hart, Benson, Ill.).
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October 2014 at ATG's Illini Tailgate in Champaign, Illinois, to celebrate ATG's 50th Anniversary. From left: Murphy Hart, Susan McLane (ATG Meetings Coordinator); Carolyn Hart, Richard Hart; and Peter Birnbaum (ATG President and CEO).
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Founding members James Elson, Richard Hart, and John Satter at the ATG Illini Tailgate in Champaign, October 2014, celebrating ATG's 50th Anniversary. They're standing by a poster commemorating their service and honoring their longstanding commitment to lawyers and their clients. 
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ATG President Peter Birnbaum thanks Richard Hart for his service as ATG's Chairman (1994-1996).
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Richard Hart with guests at ATG's 1995 Shareholders' Dinner in Champaign. 
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The Harts with the Howards at ATG's 1983 Shareholders' Dinner in Champaign.

[Last update: 4-17-18]

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