Richard DeVos

Richard DeVos was an American entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist best known for co-founding the multi-level marketing giant Amway. Alongside his lifelong friend and business partner Jay Van Andel, he built one of the world's largest private companies, which fueled his extensive philanthropic work and political influence. A prominent figure in Michigan and national Republican circles, his legacy extends through his family's ongoing involvement in business, conservative politics, and charitable giving, particularly in his hometown of Grand Rapids.

Early life and education

He was born on March 4, 1926, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Simon and Ethel DeVos. He attended Grand Rapids Christian High School where he first met his future business partner, Jay Van Andel. Following his graduation, he briefly served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war, he enrolled at Calvin College but left before completing his degree to pursue entrepreneurial ventures with Van Andel.

Business career

In 1949, he and Jay Van Andel began their first business, a flying school and air charter service named the Wolverine Air Service. They later operated a drive-in restaurant and imported wooden clogs from the Netherlands. Their pivotal venture began in 1959 when they founded the American Way Association, which was soon shortened to Amway (from "American Way"). The company, based in Ada, Michigan, pioneered a direct-selling model for household and personal care products, creating a vast international network of independent distributors. Under his leadership as president, Amway grew into a global empire, generating billions in annual revenue and expanding into markets worldwide, including China and India. In 1991, he led an ownership group to purchase the National Basketball Association franchise the Orlando Magic, serving as its senior chairman until his death.

Political and philanthropic activities

He was a major donor and influential activist within the Republican Party and the broader conservative movement. He served as the national finance chairman for the Republican National Committee in the 1980s and was a significant contributor to numerous political candidates and causes, including those of Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush. His philanthropic efforts, often conducted with his wife Helen DeVos through the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation, focused on education, healthcare, the arts, and Christian causes. Major beneficiaries included Spectrum Health (now Corewell Health) in Grand Rapids, the DeVos Performance Hall, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Calvin University.

Personal life and death

He married Helen DeVos (née Van Wesep) in 1953, and they had four children: Dick DeVos, Dan DeVos, Cheri DeVos, and Betsy DeVos, who served as the United States Secretary of Education. The family was deeply rooted in the Christian Reformed Church in North America and their community in Grand Rapids and Ada. He underwent a successful heart transplant in 1997. He died on September 6, 2018, at his home in Ada, Michigan, from complications from an infection.

Legacy

His legacy is marked by the immense growth of Amway into a cornerstone of the direct selling industry and his transformative impact on Grand Rapids through philanthropy. The DeVos family remains a powerful force in American business, conservative politics, and charitable giving. Institutions like the DeVos Children's Hospital and the DeVos Place convention center bear the family name. His children, particularly former United States Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and businessman Dick DeVos, have continued his commitments to political activism, education reform, and corporate leadership.

Category:American businesspeople Category:American philanthropists Category:1926 births Category:2018 deaths