GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Richard DeVos, the West Michigan native who co-founded Amway and was one of the area's biggest philanthropists, has died.
Rich DeVos was 92.
DeVos' wife of some 65 years, Helen DeVos, died in October 2017. They had four children, 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
"The DeVos legacy in Grand Rapids is one of concern and compassion for the people who live in this city, as well as a love of the community that has generated an enormous spillover in economic growth and development," former Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell said.
Born March 4, 1926, DeVos attended Grand Rapids Christian High School, walking or catching a street car to get to class. When he saw Jay Van Andel had a car, he offered to pay $.25 per week for a ride to school. It launched a lifelong friendship.
DeVos attended Calvin College before serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he married Helen Van Wesep in 1953. Together, they raised three sons and a daughter.