Frederik Meijer

Frederik Gerhard Hendrik Meijer (December 7, 1919 – November 25, 2011) was an American businessman, the Chairman of the Meijer hypermarket chain in Michigan, US.

Frederik Meijer was born in Greenville, Michigan. In 1934, at age 14, he worked with his father Hendrik Meijer to found Meijer Grocery in Greenville. In 1962, he launched Meijer Thrifty Acres with his father and pioneered one-stop shopping. He inherited the company after the death of his father in 1964. In 1990, he handed over the company to his sons, Doug and Hank, although he remained the Chairman of the Board until his death.

Fred Meijer died on November 25, 2011 at the Spectrum Health System in Grand Rapids, MI after suffering a stroke in his Grand Rapids home in the early morning hours, reported by the Grand Rapids Press.

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

Meijer helped establish the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. An Honors College at Grand Valley State University is named for him. A Chair in Dutch culture at Calvin College is also named for him.

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