An invitation-only Celebration of Life Service for Grand Rapids philanthropist and Amway co-founder, Rich DeVos, will take place Thursday, September 13th at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church. Today, the public was invited to a visitation at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel paying their respects.
“I first met Rich as a child. My parents were contemporaries with Rich and Helen.”
David Hooker is President and CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park joined friends and well-wishers comforting the DeVos family at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.
“If all you know about him is the headline about his wealth and his generosity you really don’t know Rich DeVos. He had a depth of character that surpasses anybody. The way he modeled his life so that when others looked at him you said, ‘Hey, there’s somebody of real substance there.’ It’s pretty incredible and what a blessing for all of us who got to know him.”
“Well, I’ve had the privilege to get know them since I joined the hospital 25 years ago.”
Vickie Weaver is President of the Spectrum Health Foundation and the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation. She explains Rich DeVos’ commitment to world-class care helped keep families here instead of travelling elsewhere.
“And Rich saw that vision and he was willing to invest his energy and his commitment his time and his resources and, encourage others to get involved. I loved that about him.”
More than 1,000 people visited with the DeVos family including children Dick, Dan, Cheri and Doug. Daughter-in-law and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also welcomed guests.
Patrick Center, WGVU News.