HART, Michael Gene
May 23, 1953 - March 12, 2021
Michael, 67, transitioned from this life on March 12, 2021, after a valiant battle with cancer. Born on May 23, 1953, in Tucson, AZ, to Lt. Colonel Gene Hart, USAF, and Charmaine Donohue; Michael grew up primarily in Tucson & Albuquerque, NM. After graduating the Univ. of the Pacific in Stockton, CA, Michael attended the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City. Acting gave way to graduate studies in journalism at the Univ. of Arizona.
After grad school in 1990, Michael found his passion for community journalism in his first job as Executive Editor of The Glendale Star in the Phoenix metro area. His love of “the local” led him to the Los Angeles Times in 1998, where he edited for “Our Times,” a news section serving diverse L.A. neighborhoods. Michael later found another “local” niche in the business-to-business magazine realm, serving first as Editor-in-Chief of the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, then of Tradeshow Week for Reed Elsevier publications. Even as print journalism waned, Michael worked in various capacities for the “B-to-B” world until his untimely death.
Michael married Susan Hunt in Tucson in 1985. Their gusto for life took many forms: travel, art, opera, dining out, their beloved cats. Michael & Susan found community & family in the social action of the Unitarian Universalist (UU) church. Always a leader, Michael served on various UU boards, including president of the Pacific Southwest District. Ever the journalist, he also wrote for UU World, the national UU Association magazine.
After 22 years in L. A. (& many fine moments at Dodger Stadium), Michael & Susan returned to Tucson & their beloved Sonoran Desert in 2020. Michael is also survived by his half-sisters, Shirley Crotwell, Carol Castillo, & Sandy Bass; all of the greater Albuquerque area. Michael’s ashes will be interred at the UU Church of Phoenix on a date to be determined.
To honor Michael, please consider donating to Street Symphony, an L.A. organization engaging homelessness & incarceration through musical performances & education. Donation: https://streetsymphony.kindful.com/