George R. Hearst Jr., chairman of the board of Hearst Corporation, has died. He was 84 years old. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that he died due to complications after a stroke. George Hearst was the grandson of William Randolph Hearst. He had been chairman of Hearst’s board since 1996.

“George was an enthusiastic supporter of the corporation’s growth and diversification strategies,” said Frank Bennack Jr., CEO of Hearst Corp., in a statement. “As chairman of the board, he brought his vast experience and wisdom to bear during a time of incredible growth and helped guide us through periods of enormous change. Although always calling every situation as he saw it, George was the most supportive and steadfast chairman a CEO could possibly have. He will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of working with him.”

Services for George Hearst will be private.