Richard DeVos, the co-founder of Amway, died Thursday. His death, at age 92, was announced by his grandson Rick. He died at his home in Ada, Michigan, near Amway's headquarters. The cause was complications from an infection. DeVos had been president of Amway from its 1959 founding until he retired in 1993. His son Doug DeVos has served as president of Amway since 2002. He was also the father-in-law of Betsy DeVos, the US education secretary. His family still co-owns Amway with the family of co-founder Jay Van Andel. DeVos and his family has a combined fortune worth $5.5 billion, according to Forbes' list of richest people. Amway started the move away from traditional brick-and-mortar stores decades before the internet changed the way people shopped. The company's products aren't sold in stores. Instead it uses a network of independent salespeople who buy products and sell them directly to people in their communities. DeVos and Van Andel were among a handful of people who created an entire industry: multi-level marketing companies. It wasn't the first such direct retailer, but it was a leader in the field. Amway is still successful: It reported sales of $8.6 billion last year. It uses a network of 3 million sales people worldwide. The multi-level marketing industry as a whole posted global sales of about $190 billion, according to its industry trade group. DeVos and Van Andel first got into the business in 1949 when they invested $49 to become distributors for Nutrilite, a manufacturer and direct seller of vitamins. They founded Amway ten years later with an all-purpose cleaner, L.O.C., as their only product. They coined the name a short-hand for "American Way." It eventually grew to a lineup of 450 products, including Nutrilite, which it purchased in 1972. DeVos was a philanthropist along with his late wife, Helen, who passed away last year. He also owned the Orlando Magic, an NBA team that he bought in 1991. The team plays in the Amway Center.<doc-sep>Rich DeVos leaves behind four children and many grandchildren. Richard DeVos, the co-founder of Amway who used his business determination to build his fortune and reshape Grand Rapids, has died at the age of 92. According to a press release, he died peacefully at his home in Ada, surrounded by family, on Sept. 6, 2018. The cause of death was complications from an infection. He was born March 4, 1926. DeVos and his lifetime business partner Jay Van Andel started Amway in their Ada basements. The small family firm grew into an international direct sales giant with annual sales now exceeding $8 billion. Early this morning our family’s patriarch, Richard DeVos Sr. went home to join his dear wife Helen with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These next days will be full of great joy and sadness as our family celebrates a life truly well lived and mourns the coming days without him. — Rick DeVos (@RickDeVos) September 6, 2018 "The idea of Amway is essentially the idea of helping people to help themselves," DeVos said. "Many of us were poor. We just chose not to stay there." DeVos was a powerful speaker, promoting Amway's compassionate capitalism around the world. In an Amway speech he said that the company's goal should be, "to make the lonely and frustrated and scared to have that sense of hope and security." As Amway thrived, DeVos gave back to the community, investing millions of dollars into downtown Grand Rapids. Along with Van Andel, who died in 2004, no one is more responsible for the city's renaissance. DeVos championed the merger of Butterworth and Blodget hospitals and with his wife Helen, DeVos made the major donation that created the Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital. DeVos donations supported schools across West Michigan, most notably Grand Valley State University, Hope College and Calvin College and his was the lead donation to build Grand Rapids' convention center, DeVos Place. "We created a climate in downtown Grand Rapids that made it a good place to be," said DeVos. A couple of years ago Grandpa celebrated his 90th Birthday. For the party, everyone in our family gave him tributes. This is what I wrote, and it captures only a tiny fraction of the love and thankfulness that I feel towards him. I’m so thankful I was able to tell him in person. pic.twitter.com/GVg22FBqcl — Rick DeVos (@RickDeVos) September 6, 2018 DeVos also founded the Richard DeVos Graduate School of Management at Northwood University in Midland, Mich. DeVos was also one of the country's leading donors to the Republican party and he owned the Orlando Magic of the NBA. DeVos' last big contribution to Grand Rapids was the construction of the J.W. Marriot hotel. "All of these projects were a kind of a partnership," said DeVos. "So let's make sure when we give credit for these things that you give credit to the people of this community because they are the ones who are helping pay for it." After a pair of heart bypass operations, DeVos went to England to receive a heart transplant in 1997. One of the nation's richest men, DeVos enjoyed his wealth, but realized the most valuable riches were not material. "The Lord was good to me and I gotta go out and try and tell how good God is," said DeVos. "I'd like to be remembered by enjoying the time we were given here by loving what the good Lord gave us, and we did the best we could with it. Rich DeVos leaves behind four children and many grandchildren. His wife Helen died in Oct. 2017. More on DeVos' legacy: ►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WZZM 13 app now.<doc-sep>Richard DeVos Sr., who partnered with a high school buddy to launch a small business that grew into a multibillion dollar empire spanning business, politics, sports and philanthropy — and reshaped west Michigan — died Thursday at age 92. "Early this morning our family’s patriarch, Richard DeVos Sr. went home to join his dear wife, Helen, with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," his grandson Rick DeVos said on Twitter. "These next days will be full of great joy and sadness as our family celebrates a life truly well lived and mourns the coming days without him." Family spokesman Nick Wasmiller said DeVos died at his western Michigan home due to complications from an infection. DeVos, co-founder of direct seller Amway, also owned the NBA's Orlando Magic. He was worth an estimated $6.1 billion, making him one of Michigan's wealthiest people, behind Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert and Marian Ilitch of Little Caesars, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. DeVos, the father-in-law of U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, also was one of the Republican Party's largest patrons, donating millions to conservative candidates and causes over the years. More:Richard DeVos, Amway co-founder, dies at 92 Vice President Mike Pence offered his prayers on Twitter writing that he was "saddened to hear of the passing of Richard DeVos, a towering figure in American business and conservative politics. DeVos was a generous philanthropist and pillar of his community." Former President George W. Bush called DeVos "a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather." "Rich was one of the great entrepreneurs — and great Americans — of our time," Bush said in a statement. "He used his business to empower others and advance the universal values of freedom, opportunity, compassion, and personal responsibility. Rich made his country and his community better." Gov. Rick Snyder called DeVos "an incredible businessman, philanthropist and true Michigander," "The positive impact Rich had on our state is truly immeasurable," Snyder said in a statement. "Through successful business ventures and charitable endeavors, he created endless opportunities for residents of many different ages and backgrounds." Humble beginnings Richard Marvin DeVos was born March 4, 1926, to Dutch immigrant parents in the Grand Rapids suburb of Ada. He attended Grand Rapids Christian High School where he met his future business partner Jay Van Andel. DeVos told the Free Press in 2004 that the lifetime business partnership began in high school when he would pay 25 cents a week for a ride to school in Van Andel's Model A Ford. Returning to Grand Rapids after World War II, Van Andel and DeVos tried their hands at several businesses including a flying school and the city's first drive-in restaurant. In 1949, they formed the Ja-Ri Corp., selling vitamins and food supplements. In 1959, they formed Amway, saying the name was an abbreviation for the "American Way." They operated Amway out of the basements of their neighboring homes and selling a single product, a biodegradable liquid organic cleaner, or LOC. By 2017, Amway was making and selling scores of products in more than 100 countries and had sales of $8.6 billion, according to the company website. Business controversies The Amway business model bypassed traditional storefronts in favor of a network of individual sales people who sold directly to consumers. They called it person-to-person sales, but critics derided it as a pyramid scheme, a charge DeVos and Van Andel long denied. In 1975, the Federal Trade Commission investigated Amway, but concluded four years later that its business did not constitute a pyramid scheme. "The Amway Sales and Marketing Plan is not a pyramid plan," the FTC ruled in 1979. "In less than 20 years, the respondents have built a substantial manufacturing company and an efficient distribution system, which has brought new products into the market. The vertical restraints by which Amway has achieved this entry — avoiding conventional retailing through grocery stores by direct selling — are reasonable." The FTC did cite Amway for price-fixing and ordered it to cease and desist. In 1982, Canadian authorities charged DeVos, Van Andel and others with fraud for understating the value of its products to minimize Canadian import duties. The company pleaded guilty to fraud and agreed to pay a $20-million fine. As part of the plea, the criminal charges against the executives were dropped. Political patron As DeVos' fortune grew, so did his political influence as he became one of the largest donors to the national and state Republican parties. When it came to political giving in Michigan "He was in a class by himself," said Bill Ballenger, a former Republican state legislator who edits the Ballenger Report political newsletter. "The DeVos family, that whole generation, the next generation down from Rich Sr., they've been huge contributors all along," Ballenger said. In the two years leading up to the 2016 election, DeVos and members of his family had made more than $14 million in political contributions, according to the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. The network's analysis concluded that the largest recipients of DeVos family largess were the Republican National Committee at $1.8 million; Freedom Partners Action Fund, an independent group linked to the Koch brothers, at $1.5 million, and the Michigan Republican Party at $1 million. In 2000, DeVos and his wife gave $1 million to a committee backing a ballot initiative that would have allowed tax money to go private schools, a measure that failed at the ballot box. In 2004, DeVos and Van Andel each contributed $2 million to Progress for America, an independent group supporting the re-election of President George W. Bush. "As a citizen and philanthropist, he fought to make our world a better place to live," Michigan Republican Party Chairman Ron Wiser said in a statement. "We will remember Rich for his leadership, dedication to Michigan, and his belief that hard work can make the American dream a reality for all." Philanthropist legacy Former Gov. John Engler, now president of Michigan State University, called DeVos, "one of the greatest men I've ever known," and a man who took to heart his faith's admonition that to whom much is given, much will expected. "His legacy in philanthropy and good works dwarfs what he did in politics and he was very active in politics," Engler told the Free Press. "He gave back consistently to the communities in which he lived and worked." A children's hospital in Grand Rapids is named for DeVos' wife, Helen, who died last year. The DeVos children contributed $50 million to it. An exhibition hall at the American Constitution Center in Philadelphia bears the couple's name, as does a center for arts and worship at Grand Rapids Christian High. "Rich gave so much of himself to Grand Valley," said Grand Valley State University President Thomas Haas. "His enthusiasm and vision were contagious, and drew the entire community together to help provide a world-class education to west Michigan citizens. The university would not be what it is today without his and Helen's leadership and generosity." In addition to his public giving, there was much done anonymously, Engler said. "He did things that people will never know about it," Engler said. "But he also inspired an ethic of giving." The Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation supports Christian churches and schools as well as the arts. In 2016, Forbes magazine estimated the family's lifetime giving at more than $1.3 billion. "As co-founder of Amway, Rich was one of Grand Rapids' most generous benefactors and played a key role in the redevelopment of downtown Grand Rapids," said John Kennedy, board chairman of the West Michigan Policy Forum. "His mark on our city, region, and state is immeasurable." U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, agreed. "It's hard to imagine what west Michigan would look like without Richard DeVos," Huizenga said in a statement. "Through his philanthropic activities, Rich led by example, created new opportunities for countless west Michigan residents, and strived to make our community an even greater place to call home." Funeral arrangements are pending. Free Press staff writer Elisha Anderson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.<doc-sep>
WZZM-TV (Grand Rapids) Richard DeVos, the co-founder of Amway who used his business determination to build his fortune and reshape Grand Rapids, has died at the age of 92. He was born March 4, 1926. Family spokesman Nick Wasmiller says DeVos died at his western Michigan home due to complications from an infection, the Associated Press said. DeVos and his lifetime business partner Jay Van Andel started Amway in their basements in Ada, Michigan. The small family firm grew into an international direct sales giant with annual sales now exceeding $8 billion. "The idea of Amway is essentially the idea of helping people to help themselves," DeVos said. "Many of us were poor. We just chose not to stay there." DeVos was a powerful speaker, promoting Amway's compassionate capitalism around the world. In a speech, he said that the company's goal should be, "to make the lonely and frustrated and scared to have that sense of hope and security." As Amway thrived, DeVos gave back to the community, investing millions of dollars into downtown Grand Rapids. Along with Van Andel, who died in 2004, no one is more responsible for the city's renaissance. DeVos championed the merger of Butterworth and Blodget hospitals and, with his wife Helen, DeVos made the major donation that created the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. DeVos donations supported schools across west Michigan, most notably Grand Valley State University, Hope College and Calvin College, and his was the lead donor to build Grand Rapids' convention center, DeVos Place. "We created a climate in downtown Grand Rapids that made it a good place to be," said DeVos. DeVos also supported Grand Valley State University in Allendale. In the 1970s, he served on its governing board. He later became president of the university's foundation board. "Rich gave so much of himself to Grand Valley. His enthusiasm and vision were contagious, and drew the entire community together to help provide a world-class education to West Michigan citizens," Grand Valley State President Thomas J. Haas said in a written statement. DeVos was also one of the country's leading donors to the Republican party and he owned the Orlando Magic of the NBA. DeVos' last big contribution to Grand Rapids was the construction of the J.W. Marriot hotel. More on freep.com: Betsy DeVos says she won't stand in way of schools buying guns Detroit Tigers' Mario Impemba, Rod Allen reportedly have physical incident "All of these projects were a kind of a partnership," said DeVos. "So let's make sure when we give credit for these things that you give credit to the people of this community because they are the ones who are helping pay for it." "Mr. DeVos' boundless generosity, inspirational leadership and infectious enthusiasm will always be remembered," Magic CEO Alex Martins said in a statement. "Simply, he was the team's No. 1 cheerleader and the best owner that a Magic fan could ever want for their team." After a pair of heart bypass operations, DeVos went to England to receive a heart transplant in 1997. One of the nation's richest men, DeVos enjoyed his wealth, but realized the most valuable riches were not material. "The Lord was good to me and I gotta go out and try and tell how good God is," said DeVos. "I'd like to be remembered by enjoying the time we were given here by loving what the good Lord gave us, and we did the best we could with it. DeVos graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School and attend Calvin College. He served from 1944-46 in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Richard DeVos leaves behind four children, Dick, Dan, Cheri and Doug, two sisters and many grandchildren. His son Dick is married to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. His wife Helen passed away in 2017. Services have not been finalized. Associated Press contributed to this story.