Robert's Roses - the Streetcorner Florist for Busy Buckhead People

We are sorry to report that Robert, the Flower Man, passed away in his sleep on Tuesday morning. A fixture of the Buckhead scene for more than 25 years, Robert shared his smile with all who passed. A native of Akin, South Carolina, Robert moved to Atlanta in 1976 after earning a degree in welding from Piedmont Technical College. He began his career in the sidewalk florist business in 1977, working for the Sunshine Floral Co. By the time Sunshine left the Atlanta market in 1986, Robert had built his sales at the Paces Ferry/Northside Pkwy intersection enough to believe he could make it on his own, and founded Robert's Roses. Since then his beautiful flowers have brightened the lives of countless Atlantans.

An avid off-road motorcyclist, Robert loved spending weekends racing at local motocross tracks here and around the south, and brought home many trophies and awards, including a Fifth Overall in the AMA District 9 Alabama State Championship (Open B class) in 1985. In recent years he took up bicycling, and spent many happy hours on the Silver Comet Trail. He also loved camping and hiking in Georgia's State Parks.

Robert's friends will remember his great sense of humor, his appreciation of fine wines and good dining, his love of so many different kinds of music from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Crowded House, and his never-ending willingness to help when needed. His customers will remember his reliability, and his enormous work ethic.

He will be deeply missed.

As more details become available to us, they will be posted here.

Where is Robert, the Flower Man?

Rest in Peace, Robert

We are sorry to say that Robert Hiestand has passed on, on the morning of March 30, 2010.