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.

Nuestro mas sentido pesame para toda la familia. Gracias Rich DeVos por cambiar muchas vidas al rededor del mundo con esta hermosa oportunidad,siempre...
Ines MarinNew York
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… rather it was his craft to be able to touch an individual sitting amongst a crowd of others listeni...
Jim HackettDearborn
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
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 was a joy to work with him to create the downtown campus for Grand Valley and to be a part of his...
Arend D. (Don) LubbersPresident Emeritus
Throughout his entire life, Rich DeVos dedicated himself to the work of providing economic opportunity for others and lifting up local communities. Hi...
Arthur BrooksWashington
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
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
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
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
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 political world and his generosity in the non-profit world. He was a champion for good. The world ...
Mark JansenCutlerville
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
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 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 freed...
JRobert BrouseBemidji
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
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....
Thomas J. HaasPresident
Today our hearts and prayers are with the DeVos family. The Heritage Foundation will forever be indebted to Richard DeVos for his courage, generosity, and commitment to conservative values. He generously endowed the Richard & Helen DeVos Cen...
Kay Coles JamesWashington
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
Doy gracias a Dios por la familia de vos. Rico fue un gran hombre un luchador. Hombres cómo el no nacen todos los días. Nos queda lo más grande de el un legado invaluable. Una vida impecable y un negocio maravilloso.
Richarson de paulaSanto domingo
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
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
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 ...
Nancy Leduc HamelAMHERST
Mi corazón lloró lloró de tristeza y a la vez sentí felicidad Por q la voluntad de Dios cumplida llevarse a un hombre q cambió la vida de muchas personas gracias a dejarse iluminar por Nuestro Padre y crear la oportunidad de dejar un legado a to...
Arely MagañaJuayua sonsonate
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 busin...
Carolyn SommerfeldtCambridge
Rich, gracias por todas tus enseñanzas, gracias por esa visión tan poderosa que nos cambio nuestra vida y la de millones de personas alrededor del mundo. Un Abrazo para hijos, nietos y bisnietos.
Audry y Wilfredo PerezPalmira
Sr Rich de Vos Que su Alma Generosa descanse en Paz!!! Gracias por compartir la Oprtunidad de Amway con tantas personas en el mundo! Gracias por devol...
Patricia LópezNeuquén
Palm Beach Atlantic University celebrates the remarkable life, faithful testimony, citizenship and philanthropic legacy of our dear friend, Rich DeVos. The Lord used Mr. DeVos as a shepherd, a servant and a steward. He was an elite American full...
Bill FlemingWest Palm Beach
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
The community of West Michigan has a profound legacy in the Richard DeVos Heart & Lung Transplant Program. This program was launched in 2010 and has been highly successful in completing 115 heart transplants, 122 lung transplants, 387 left v...
Dr Penny Wilton, Department Chief, Frederik Meijer Heart & Vascualr Institute, Spectrum HealthGrand Rapids
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...
Aaron GachGrand Rapids
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