Rich DeVos wearing a tuxedo at a microphone.

In memory of Richard M. DeVos

Those leaving tributes vividly recall hearing him deliver one of his famous speeches or treasure his iconic handwritten notes signed “Love ya! Rich.” Or they were so thankful they got to shake his hand, feeling the warmth and sincerity of his greeting as he looked them in the eye. He is described as a cheerleader for the human spirit. An incredible visionary. A giant. A teacher. An ambassador. A true American hero. An ideal entrepreneur. A father figure. A motivator, dreamer and champion. The personification of humility. A philanthropist. The model of servant leadership.

Over the years, Rich and I worked closely together and developed a partnership and friendship that will always hold a special place in my heart. It wa...
Arend D. (Don) LubbersPresident Emeritus
Le mie più sentite condoglianze a tutta la famiglia de vos. Un grande persona una grande visone grazie di aver creato questa attività. Avrei voluto incontrarti ma il tempo non lo ha permesso resterai sempre nel mio cuore grazie di tutto.
RaffaeleBergamo
On behalf of our Board Chair Kay Coles James and The Gloucester Institute family, we honor Richard and Helen DeVos for their lives of generosity and f...
Winona ColesTysons Corner
Rich often referred to Grand Valley as the college founded, nurtured and embraced by this community. Its mission and impact was applauded and revered even by people who didn’t go there, like himself.Domiciled in West Michigan, the university’...
David FreyGrand Valley University Foundation Director
Rich DeVos was a wise man of God that was willing to gently share his faith with anyone. It was an honor to have met him. I knew him more from the pol...
Mark JansenCutlerville
Rich Devos was my friend, my mentor and my Chairman of the Board when I served as President of the Direct Selling Association. His dedication to freedom of thought, spirit and work made him unique in his time. His ability to motivate, educate, a...
JRobert BrouseBemidji
The world has lost a hero today. Rich De Vos was a builder of business, community, and most of all: people. He was instrumental in inspiring the phila...
Mayor Nancy De BoerHolland
Now motivate the Angels up above as you have me and millions of others here on earth. I will always remember our meeting in the hall of a convention center in Washington State. What I loved about it it was just the two of us talking nobody else ...
Steve ForneySan Diego
Rich gave generously to the Intercollegiate Studies Institute with his time, talent, and treasure. For years, the Richard and Helen DeVos Freedom Cent...
Charlie CopelandWilmington
There are no words to describe how much Rich DeVos will be missed by Marcia and me personally, our university, and the entire West Michigan community. Rich gave so much of himself to Grand Valley. His enthusiasm and vision were contagious, and d...
Thomas J. HaasPresident
Palm Beach Atlantic University celebrates the remarkable life, faithful testimony, citizenship and philanthropic legacy of our dear friend, Rich DeVos...
Bill FlemingWest Palm Beach
Non ci sono parole per esprimere la nostra gratitudine ed ammirazione per Papa Rich. Una persona splendida, con un cuore enorme, un Angelo. Grazie, grazie infinite. Riposa in pace, in compagnia di Jay e di Jim Dornan. Stai vicino alla mia famigl...
Filippo Foggetti e Tiziana MartiniFirenze
For decades, Rich and Helen lived out their commitment to Christ by contributing to the flourishing of their neighbors in Grand Rapids. West Michigan ...
Michael LeRoyGrand Rapids
Throughout his entire life, Rich DeVos dedicated himself to the work of providing economic opportunity for others and lifting up local communities. His legacy will be carried on by the countless people he helped empower to lead lives of dignity ...
Arthur BrooksWashington
The community of West Michigan has a profound legacy in the Richard DeVos Heart & Lung Transplant Program. This program was launched in 2010 and h...
Dr Penny Wilton, Department Chief, Frederik Meijer Heart & Vascualr Institute, Spectrum HealthGrand Rapids
My father’s trusted friend and fellow adventurer, Rich was much more than a business partner – he was like family. As a passionate philanthropist, Rich was enthusiastic about Van Andel Institute from the beginning. He and Helen were among the fi...
Dave Van AndelGrand Rapids
Rich DeVos was an artist whose palette were the words he spoke for others to hear. His genius wasn’t just his speeches, books or interviews… rath...
Jim HackettDearborn
I was sadden to heard that the founder of Amway Mr. Rich DeVos has passed away today at age 92 Thank God he had a long life. I’ve been an Amway business owner for many years. I’ve been to many of Diamond weekends and many wonderful Amway functi...
Carolyn SommerfeldtCambridge
I am deeply saddened by the news of Rich DeVos’ passing. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends. I worked closely with Rich during...
Richard C. BreonFormer President & CEO
We stand with individuals throughout our country and world who mourn the passing of Richard DeVos, Sr. Through his steady and generous support of West Michigan, Mr. DeVos has made a lasting impact in our community. Mr. DeVos leaves an indelible ...
Aaron GachGrand Rapids
My sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Rich De Vos. I’m grateful for being able to be part of the Amway business and I’m comforted...
WensleyNY
I’m proud to say I have been blessed by the DeVos family through the DeVos Urban Ministry program. Thank you for your commitment to sustaining this program over many years it is definitely an eloquent display of genuine commitment to reach those...
Paula HaywoodGolden Valley
Today our hearts and prayers are with the DeVos family. The Heritage Foundation will forever be indebted to Richard DeVos for his courage, generosity,...
Kay Coles JamesWashington
Dear Rich,Thank you for enriching the lives of millions throughout the world. You were a true inspiration to me when I saw you at a Free Enterprise Conference some years ago. May God bless you for a truly well lived life of servant service. My...
Elizabeth A MariniDubuque
With great sadness, we join the millions who mourn the passing of Rich DeVos. As one of the many beneficiaries of Rich’s philanthropy, Mary Free Bed R...
Jane BrierleyGrand Rapids
What can one say about a man that was “bigger than life” but yet so humble, kind and giving? I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. DeVos as a young woman in the 1960’s. My Aunt & Uncle, Rita & Frank Delisle, were early distributors of Amway ...
Nancy Leduc HamelAMHERST
Condalances to the family We thank god for you presence on this earth to have touched our lives with this wonderful opportunity. Platnium
Cicero and Margaret LalloTrinidad
Grazie a nome della mia famiglia e delle centinaia di famiglie della nostra organizzazione, che grazie a questa impresa ed ai sani principi riescono a dare un futuro si propri figli. Thank you on behalf of my family and the hundreds of families ...
Gerardo RosoliaGrosseto
About 30 years ago I went to an event Rich DeVos was going to be at just to meet him. As a small business person he was to me the Michael Jordon of bu...
Tommy BrannWyoming
I had the privilege of meeting and getting to know Rich when I worked for President Ford at the White House. He was a wonderful and generous gentleman and I saw first hand how much President Ford respected and admired him. He and the family have...
Terry O'DonnellWashington