Frederik Meijer

Frederik Meijer
Born Frederik Gerhard Hendrik Meijer
December 7, 1919
Greenville, Michigan, US
Died November 25, 2011(2011-11-25) (aged 91)
Nationality American
Occupation Businessman
Net worth US$5 billion (2011)
Title Chairman, Meijer
Spouse(s) Lena Rader
Children Doug Meijer
Hank Meijer
Mark Meijer
Parent(s) Hendrik Meijer
Gezina Meijer

Frederik Gerhard Hendrik Meijer (December 7, 1919 – November 25, 2011) was an American businessman, the chairman of the Meijer hypermarket chain, headquartered in his hometown of Greenville, Michigan, US.[1]

Early life

Frederik Meijer was born in Greenville, Michigan,[1] the son of Hendrik and Gezina Meijer, both Dutch immigrants, who had married in Greenville in 1912.[2] In 1934, at age 14, he worked with his father Hendrik Meijer to found Meijer Grocery in Greenville.[1]

Career

In 1962, he launched Meijer Thrifty Acres with his father and pioneered one-stop shopping.[1] He inherited the company after the death of his father in 1964.[1] In 1990, he handed over the company to his sons, Doug and Hank, although he remained the Chairman of the Board until his death.[1]

As of September 2011, he was worth US$5 billion.[1] He was the 60th richest person in the United States at the time of his death.[1][3]

Personal life

In 1946, he married Lena Rader, the daughter of farmers, and who had been a cashier in one of his stores.[2] They had three sons, Doug, Hank and Mark Meijer.[4]

Fred Meijer died on November 25, 2011 at the Spectrum Health System in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after suffering a stroke in his Grand Rapids home.[5]

Legacy

Meijer helped establish the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.[6] An Honors College at Grand Valley State University is named for him.[7] A Chair in Dutch culture at Calvin College is also named for him.[8] Also, the Fred Meijer trail system in and around Greenville, Michigan.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Frederik G.H. Meijer". Forbes.com. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  2. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-03-25. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  3. ↑ "Forbes 400 2016". Forbes.com. 2016-09-28. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  4. ↑ Carmichael, Michael (2009-08-20). "Meijer at 75 – Lessons from a family that has learned to work together over three generations. – Corp! Magazine". Corpmagazine.com. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  5. ↑ Ed Riojas Illustration. "Fred Meijer, West Michigan billionaire grocery magnate, dies at 91". MLive.com. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  6. ↑ "About". Meijer Gardens. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  7. ↑ "Frederik Meijer Honors College - Grand Valley State University". Gvsu.edu. 2017-01-27. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  8. ↑ "Frederik Meijer Chair - Dutch - Calvin College". Retrieved 2017-06-28.

Further reading

  • Meijer, Fred (1998). Just Call Me Fred: 101 Thoughts on People, Business and Life in General. Grand Rapids: Meijer. OCLC 40640126.
  • ten Harmsel, Larry; Smith, Bill (2009). Fred Meijer: Stories of His Life. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN 0-8028-6460-0. OCLC 262878972.
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