Frederik 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]

Not to be confused with Fred Meyer.
Frederik Meijer
Born
Frederik Gerhard Hendrik Meijer

December 7, 1919
Greenville, Michigan, US
DiedNovember 25, 2011(2011-11-25) (aged 91)
Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusinessman
Net worthUS$5 billion (2011)
TitleChairman, Meijer
Spouse(s)Lena Rader
ChildrenDoug Meijer
Hank Meijer
Mark Meijer
Looking east along the Frederik Meijer Trail along M-6 in Gaines Township, Michigan

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, 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] The Frederik Meijer Trail in Kent County, Michigan, and the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park are named after him following donations by the Frederik and Lena Meijer Foundation.[9][10]

References
  1. "Frederik G.H. Meijer". Forbes.com. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-03-25. Retrieved 2017-03-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  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.
  9. King, Kyla & Wilson, Rick (December 6, 2006). "Bike Trail Planned near South Beltline on Track". The Grand Rapids Press. p. B1.
  10. Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Further reading
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