Richard Marvin DeVos Sr.

Background

Sr., Richard Marvin DeVos was born on March 4, 1926 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Son of Simon C. and Ethel R. (Dekker) DeV.

Education

Student, Calvin College, 1946; honorary Doctor of Laws, Oral Roberts U., 1976; honorary Doctor of Laws, Grove City (Pennsylvania) College honorary Doctor of Laws, Northwood Institute, Midland, Michigan, 1977; honorary Doctor of Laws, Dickinson School Law, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 1980; honorary Doctor of Laws, Pepperdine U., 1980; honorary Doctor of Laws, Lubbock Christian College, 1981; Doctor of Literature (honorary), Hope College, 1982; Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Grand Valley State University, 1992; Doctor of Laws (honorary), Regent U., 1992.

Career

Partner, Wolverine Air Service, 1945-1948; co-founder, president, Ja-Ri Corporation, 1949; co-founder, president, Amway Corporation, 1959-1992.

Works

• Other Work

  • Author: Believe], Compassionate Capitalism.

Membership

Chairman Gospel Films, Muskegon, Michigan. Owner, chairman Orlando Magic National Basketball Association Basketball Team. Co-founder, president Amway Environmental Foundation.

Board directors, chairman Midwest region BIPAC, National Organisation Disability. Past co-chair Salvation Army Campaign, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1993. Director Grand Rapids Economics Club.

Past president Grand Rapids Junior Achievement, 1966-1967. Past member board control Grand Valley State College. Past board directors United Way Kent County.

Past board directors National Legal Center for Public Interest. Chairman, board directors Butterworth Health Corporation, Grand Rapids, National Advisory Board Coral Ridge Ministries, Florida Board governments Northwood U. Trustee Gerald R. Ford Foundation.

Past chairman New Grand Rapids Committee. Special advisor President Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Member Close-Up Foundation Honorary State Board Advisory.

Member county trustees Freedoms Foundation. Past chairman National Advisory Board National Republican Committee. Past finance chairman Republican National Committee.

Past member Presidential Commission Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Past president Council National Policy. Fellow World Fellowship for Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

Named to Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame, 1998. With United States Army Air Force, 1944-1946. Member National Association of Manufacturers (past director), Direct Selling Association (past chairman, director, Champion of Free Enterprise and Knights of Royal Way awards, Hall of Fame award), Newcomen Society, Grand Rapids Economics Club (director), Round Table International (honorary knight for life 1992), Omicron Delta Kappa (honorary).

Connections

Married Helen J. Van Wesep, February 7, 1953.

Father:

Simon C. DeV.

Mother:

Ethel R. (Dekker) DeV.

Spouse:

Helen J. Van Wesep