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 Independent Business
Owners around the world mourn the passing of Jay Van Andel, co-founder
of a multi-level marketing giant that would become today’s Alticor and
Amway Global / Quixtar. Jay Van Andel was one of the founding members of the American
Way Association now known as the Independent Business Owners
Association International. We at the IBOAI along with the many IBO's throughout
the world mourn Jay's passing. Jay will be sorely missed. Jay's keen
insights shaped our business and poured the foundation that has brought
us to where we are today. Jay's finished product will be our raw
material.
With his business
partner and co-founder Rich DeVos, Jay Van Andel affected innumerable
lives by making available to millions worldwide the opportunity to
succeed in a business of their own and realize their personal dreams and
ambitions. In addition, Jay and his late wife Betty shared their success
with millions through individual and community donations and memberships
on numerous public and private boards.
Jay Van Andel died
Tuesday, December 7, 2004, at his home in Ada, Mich. He was 80. He was
preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Betty, who passed away at
their Caribbean home on Peter Island on January 18, 2004.
He is survived by his
sons Steve (Cindy) and David (Carol), and daughters Nan and Barb (Rick)
Van Andel-Gaby. Van Andel is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Leigh,
Jesse, Aaron, Kyle, Christian, Marie, Rachel, Jason, Nathan, and Samuel.
Van Andel was best
known for his strong belief in the power of personal initiative and free
enterprise to change people's lives. With his partner, Rich DeVos, Van
Andel created a leading direct selling business that allowed individuals
to gain skills and income with a modest investment.
"Jay was the solid rock
upon which our company was built and the best business partner a person
could have," said business partner Rich DeVos of his friend. "With his
passing, America loses one of its brightest lights, our company loses a
beloved leader and I lose my best friend."
Van Andel and DeVos
first dreamed of owning their own business when they were students at
Grand Rapids Christian High School. Their friendship grew out of a
business arrangement - DeVos paid Van Andel 25-cents a week for a ride
to and from school.
The two friends founded
their business in their basements in 1959 with an all-purpose cleaner,
L.O.C., as their only product. After the first year of business, they
moved to an abandoned service station located at the current
headquarters site in Ada, Michigan. Over four decades, they built that
business into a multi-billion dollar international corporation and one
of the world's largest direct selling companies.
In October 2000, a new
parent company was formed, Alticor, along with two new sister companies:
Amway Global / Quixtar Inc., a Web-based business in North America, and Access Business
Group LLC., a manufacturing and logistics provider to Amway Global / Quixtar and other
companies.
Van Andel was succeeded
as company Chairman in 1995 by his son, Steve, who today manages daily
operations of Alticor Inc. with President Doug DeVos, Rich DeVos's son.
Van Andel remained active with the company as a prominent member of
Alticor's Board of Directors until his death.
A
Legacy of Philanthropy
Van Andel's
philanthropic endeavors were driven by his strong faith. In his
autobiography, "An Enterprising Life," he talked about the
"responsibility of wealth." He said, "For me, the greatest pleasure
comes not from the endless acquisition of material things, but from
creating wealth and giving it away. The task of every person on earth is
to use everything he's given to the ultimate glory of God." Van Andel
supported numerous arts, cultural and educational institutions in his
hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich., through the Jay and Betty Van Andel
Foundation.
His major philanthropic
effort was the establishment of the multi-million-dollar Van Andel
Institute, one of the world's pre-eminent biomedical research
facilities, in Grand Rapids. In launching the Institute, Van Andel said:
"I can think of no better way to touch the lives of people than to
support medical research that extends human life and reduces pain and
suffering, God helping us."
Van Andel was a driving
force behind the renewal of downtown Grand Rapids, beginning with the
purchase of the Pantlind Hotel in 1979, which later became the Grand
Plaza Hotel. His commitment and financial support of $11.5 million were
instrumental in building the sports and entertainment facility that
bears his family's name, Van Andel Arena. He was the leader and major
contributor of the funding for the Van Andel Museum Center of the Grand
Rapids Public Museum. Van Andel also was founding chairman of the Right
Place Committee, formed in 1980 to create and retain business and
employment in Grand Rapids.
He also was a strong
supporter of education, providing financial gifts to Grand Valley State
University, in Allendale, Mich., Hope College, in Holland, Mich., and
the Van Andel Education Institute, in Grand Rapids.
In the area of health
care, Jay and Betty were major supporters of the Pine Rest Christian
Hospital, on whose board Betty served for many years.
A man of deep religious
faith, Van Andel supported Christian institutions and education, serving
in leadership positions on the Ada Christian School Board, Grand Rapids
Christian School Development Council, Grand Rapids Association of
Christian Schools Fund Drive and LaGrave Christian Reformed Church. He
received the Business and Professional Leader of the Year Award and the
Great Living American Award from Religious Heritage of America.
Awards
and Achievements
Van Andel was
recognized with many distinguished awards, including the Dennis W.
Sheeham Award, Edison Award from the American Marketing Association, the
Adam Smith Free Enterprise Award from the American Legislative Exchange
Council, the Clare Boothe Luce Award from the Heritage Foundation, the
George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedoms Foundation, the Patron
Award from the Michigan Foundation for the Arts, and the 1990 Business
Person of the Year from the Economic Club of Grand Rapids.
He was inducted into
the Direct Selling Association Hall of Fame, the Junior Achievement
National Business Hall of Fame, the Sales and Marketing Executives
International Academy of Achievement, and the Greater Grand Rapids
Business Hall of Fame. He was a member of the MENSA Society of the US.
Van Andel wrote an
autobiography in 1998 entitled An Enterprising Life, recounting
his life and partnership with Rich DeVos in creating and guiding Amway
Corp. The book appeared on the Wall Street Journal's best seller list
for business books for 11 weeks. It sold more than 60,000 copies and has
been translated into seven languages.
He was the recipient of
five honorary degrees, including a doctorate of science from Michigan
State University. He also received the Calvin College Distinguished
Alumni Award.
Leadership Positions
Van Andel held a number
of offices in both national and local associations. In addition to his
role as Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1979 and 1980, Van
Andel was appointed by President George H.W. Bush as U.S. Ambassador and
Commissioner General of the International Specialized Exposition in
Genoa, Italy. In 1982, he was Chairman of the Netherlands American
Bicentennial Commission. He also held offices as chairman of the
Michigan Republican Finance Committee and was a director of the Gerald
R. Ford Foundation.
In the Grand Rapids
area, Van Andel served as director of the Grand Rapids Chamber of
Commerce, Michigan National Bank, Ferguson Hospital, the John Ball
Zoological Society, Metropolitan YMCA, and the World Affairs Council.
About
Jay Van Andel
Van Andel was born June
3, 1924, in Grand Rapids, graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High
School, attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids; Morningside College in
Sioux City, Iowa; Pratt Business School in Kansas; and Yale University
Aviation Cadet School in New Haven, Connecticut. He served in the U.S.
Army Air Corps as a first lieutenant from 1942 to 1945. He married the
former Betty Hoekstra of Grand Rapids in 1952.
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