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.

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
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 much of his longstanding relationship with Spectrum Health. I will miss our conversations, not...
Richard C. BreonFormer President & CEO
제 생애에 귀한 기회 주심에 감사드립니다. 만나뵐 수는 없지만 리치 회장님의 사랑과 무한긍정의 마인드와 신이 나를 귀하게 만드셨다는 그 깨우침을 주심에 감사합니다. 그 곳에서도 신의 축복이 함께 하시길 기도드립니다.
박연희대구광역시
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 for their support of hundreds of African American college students whose lives they changed as a...
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 ...
David FreyGrand Valley University Foundation Director
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
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 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
삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다~ 세상 그어떤분보다도 많은이들에게 꿈과 소망을 품고 이루게 하신.. 감사하고 존경하는 리치스승님~~ 앞으로 그모습 뵐 수 없어 너무나 안타까와요~하나님 곁에서 평안히 안식하시길 기도합니다 내내..사랑하고 감사합니다♡
박은종대전광역시
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 Rehabilitation Hospital and the patients we serve are better because of his generosity. Rich’s h...
Jane BrierleyGrand Rapids
Rich has inspired us by providing Amway platform to live our dreams. His contribution can never be forgotten.You will always alive in form of hope and...
Arun GroverSri Ganganagar
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
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
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
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’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
Palm Beach Atlantic University celebrates the remarkable life, faithful testimony, citizenship and philanthropic legacy of our dear friend, Rich DeVos...
Bill FlemingWest Palm Beach
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 philanthropic spirit of West Michigan. His humility and giving heart will forever be an example to u...
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 c...
Steve ForneySan Diego
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
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
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
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
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
We can say a lot of things, but jus two words can involve all our feeling…Than you!!!
Francisco BarrónMonterrey
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
My father’s trusted friend and fellow adventurer, Rich was much more than a business partner – he was like family. As a passionate philanthropist, Ric...
Dave Van AndelGrand Rapids
For decades, Rich and Helen lived out their commitment to Christ by contributing to the flourishing of their neighbors in Grand Rapids. West Michigan is thriving in no small part due to their investment in this community. We are especially grate...
Michael LeRoyGrand Rapids
살아 생전에 당신이 주신 기회를 토대로 진정한 자유와 행복을 느껴보고 직접 만나 정말 감사하다고 전하고 싶었는데 이젠 그럴 기회가 없어졌네요 부디 하늘에서는 평온하게 계시길 그리고 꼭 이뤄네서 직접 뵐수는 없겠지만 당신이 잠드신 그자리 찾아 뵙도록 하겠습니다 희망을 ...
김태현양산시
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