Dick DeVore, Wichita business leader and philanthropist, died Monday

When it came to the arts, Wichita’s YMCAs and ensuring his hometown had a better quality of life, Richard A. “Dick” DeVore gave generously of his money, time and spirit.

“I worked with Dick and Bill (DeVore) for over 40 years and no one was more responsible than Dick for good deeds in Wichita,” said Eric Engstrom, a friend who served with Mr. DeVore on the Wichita Art Museum board of directors when it was expanded in 2003.

Mr. DeVore, a retired Wichita businessman and philanthropist, died Monday in Wickenburg, Ariz., a family member confirmed Tuesday. He was 76. Funeral services are pending.

Mr. DeVore was born Jan. 1, 1940, in Wichita. He grew up in Eastborough and attended Wichita public schools. He graduated from East High School in 1957. He received his bachelor’s of arts degree in 1961 from Columbia University in New York City.

“He had an innate talent for business,” said his brother, Bill DeVore. “In grade school, he sold cold pop to construction crews in the neighborhood; then later it was greeting cards and ballpoint pens.

“By high school, he had bought vending machines and had a reputation for selling peanuts and gum in various stores.”

The brothers owned and operated the family’s Bible publishing business, DeVore & Sons. The company was founded in 1948 by Floyd DeVore, their father, according to the company’s website.

By the late 1960s, Mr. DeVore had assumed primary responsibility for the Bible company. He also expanded the family partnership to include an 8,900-acre cattle ranch in the Flint Hills, a Holstein dairy, and investments in the oil and gas industry. He retired in 1995 when some of the enterprises were sold or delegated to other family members, Bill DeVore said.

Mr. DeVore was known for his philanthropic work through the DeVore Foundation, which he formed with Bill.

The Wichita Community Foundation was started in 1986 by Mr. DeVore, with help later from Mary Lynn Oliver and a number of other donors.

“He was one of our original founders,” said Brian Black, board chair of the Wichita Community Foundation. “His vision was to establish a legacy so that the charitable thoughts and ideas could live on.”

Throughout his life, Mr. DeVore had a fondness for Wichita.

“I think he was very proud and wanted to support it,” Oliver said. “He was a man of great conviction.”

Mr. DeVore also served on the Greater Wichita YMCA’s metro board for more than four decades. The South YMCA is named in his honor.

The Douglas Avenue sculptures, the Music Theatre of Wichita Jester statue at Century II, and the Wichita Art Museum expansion and gallery were some of his contributions to the city, said John D’Angelo, director of Wichita’s Arts and Culture Department.

“He was just an absolute integral part of us spending more money on the art museum,” said Bob Knight, former Wichita mayor and friend. “What he did is went out and raised money privately and made a challenge to the city that was extraordinarily generous.

“He was a person who really pushed and was involved in so many things.”

Engstrom said that although Mr. DeVore was generous with his money, he always lent a business eye to the nonprofits he served.

“He might give the impression to some people he was stern, which he was when he would look at plans for nonprofits in terms of how well organized they were and their leadership,” Engstrom said. “He was clear-eyed when he looked at projects for the community, which was one of his great strengths.

“He was a force of nature when it came to fundraising. Very few people could resist his request if he looked them straight in the eye and said, ‘You must give to this.’ ”

This story was originally published February 2, 2016 at 11:42 AM with the headline "Dick DeVore, Wichita business leader and philanthropist, died Monday."