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{{Short description|American furniture designer (1891-1990)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Multiple issues|
{{Cleanup-PR|date=June 2020}}
{{Cleanup press release|date=June 2020}}
{{Notability|Biographies|date=June 2020}}
{{Notability|Biographies|date=June 2020}}
}}
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| name = Dirk Jan De Pree
| name = Dirk Jan De Pree
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1891|7|31}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1891|7|31}}
| birth_place=[[Zeeland, Michigan]]
| birth_place=[[Zeeland, Michigan]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1990|12|10|1891|7|31}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1990|12|10|1891|7|31}}
| death_place = [[Holland, Michigan]]
| death_place = [[Holland, Michigan]], U.S.
| notable_works = Founding [[Herman Miller (manufacturer)|Herman Miller]]
| notable_works = Founding [[Herman Miller (manufacturer)|Herman Miller]]
| spouse = Nellie Miller (1914)
| spouse = Nellie Miller (1914)
Line 16: Line 17:


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
D. J. was born in [[Zeeland, Michigan]], in 1891. His father was a [[tinsmith]] who was active in local politics. His grandparents were [[Dutch people|Dutch]] Calvinists who had immigrated to Zeeland in the late 19th century.
Dirk Jan De Pree was born in [[Zeeland, Michigan]], in 1891. His father, Pieter (Peter) De Pree, was a [[tinsmith]] who was active in local politics. His grandparents were [[Dutch people|Dutch]] Calvinists who had immigrated to Zeeland in the late 19th century.


D. J. graduated from high school in 1909 and went to work as a clerk for the Michigan Star Furniture Company in Zeeland. The company had been formed four years earlier. De Pree's job consisted of general office work, taking orders from his boss.
De Pree graduated from high school in 1909 and went to work as a clerk for the Michigan Star Furniture Company in Zeeland. The company had been formed four years earlier. De Pree's job consisted of general office work, taking orders from his boss.


Mr. De Pree also served as Pastor of Ventura Baptist Church in Zeeland and served the church as Sunday School teacher for around 20 years.<ref>"Dirk Jan De Pree founded furniture company." ''Detroit Free Press'' (Detroit, MI) Thursday, December 13, 1990, Pg. 2B, Columns 1 & 2 </ref>
⚫
In 1914, D. J. married Nellie Miller, daughter of [[Herman Miller (office equipment)|Herman Miller]]. That marriage produced three sons, two of whom would eventually join their father in the business. The third became a college mathematics professor.<ref>{{cite web

⚫
In 1914, De Pree married Nellie Miller, daughter of [[Herman Miller (office equipment)|Herman Miller]]. That marriage produced three sons, two of whom would eventually join their father in the business.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.anbhf.org/laureates/djdepree.html
| url = http://www.anbhf.org/laureates/djdepree.html
| title = D. J. De Pree
| title = D. J. De Pree
| accessdate = 2007-01-16
| access-date = 2007-01-16
| work = ANBHF
| work = ANBHF
| publisher = ANBHF
| url-status = dead
| url-status = dead
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070202002944/http://www.anbhf.org/laureates/djdepree.html
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070202002944/http://www.anbhf.org/laureates/djdepree.html
| archivedate = 2007-02-02
| archive-date = 2007-02-02
}}</ref> He also had four daughters.
}}</ref> He also had four daughters.


== Career ==
== Career ==
In 1923, D. J. decided to found his own business. With the help of a loan from his father-in-law he bought the Michigan Star Furniture Company. (The two purchased 51% of the stock.) He renamed the company Herman Miller in honor of his father-in-law.
In 1923, De Pree decided to found his own business. With the help of a loan from his father-in-law he bought the Michigan Star Furniture Company. (The two purchased 51% of the stock.) He renamed the company Herman Miller in honor of his father-in-law, who was never active in the business.


⚫
In 1960, De Pree contracted an illness which cut short his career. He stepped down as CEO in 1961. When he recovered, there was no longer room for him as CEO. The new management team consisted of sons Hugh and [[Max De Pree]]. D. J. continued on as chairman emeritus.<ref>{{cite book
Herman Miller was never active in the business. However, D. J. credits him with adopting a policy of quality through the use of the best materials and best workers.

⚫
In 1960, D. J. contracted an illness which cut short his career. He stepped down as CEO in 1961. When he recovered, there was no longer room for him as CEO. The new management team consisted of sons Hugh and [[Max De Pree|Max]]. D. J. continued to provide input and inspiration as chairman emeritus but the sons ran the company.<ref>{{cite book
| isbn = 0-87911-005-8
| isbn = 0-87911-005-8
| title = Business As Unusual: The People and Principles at Herman Miller
| title = Business As Unusual: The People and Principles at Herman Miller
Line 45: Line 45:
| url = https://archive.org/details/businessasunusua00depr
| url = https://archive.org/details/businessasunusua00depr
}}</ref>
}}</ref>

== Spiritual life ==
De Pree was a member of First Baptist Church in Zeeland, but he grew a love for the Ventura district of [[Holland, Michigan]] - hearing that there were many people meeting regularly for Bible studies in a one-room schoolhouse. In 1955, DePree became the first pastor (a lay pastor) of [http://www.venturabaptistchurch.org/ Ventura Baptist Church] at 16240 Quincy St in Holland, MI. He pastored the church for about 11 years - equipping and encouraging church members regularly. He also helped the church see their building expand.


== Death ==
== Death ==
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| url = http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30616FC385E0C708DDDAB0994D8494D81
| url = http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30616FC385E0C708DDDAB0994D8494D81
| title = Obituary
| title = Obituary
| accessdate = 2007-01-16
| access-date = 2007-01-16
| work = GLENN FOWLER (NYT)
| work = GLENN FOWLER (NYT)
| publisher = Late Edition - Final, Section D, Page 21, Column 1, 504 words
| publisher = Late Edition - Final, Section D, Page 21, Column 1, 504 words
Line 66: Line 63:
== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.hermanmiller.com/ Herman Miller]
* [http://www.hermanmiller.com/ Herman Miller]



{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}

Latest revision as of 04:03, 9 August 2024

Dirk Jan De Pree (July 31, 1891 – December 10, 1990) was an American furniture designer.

Dirk Jan De Pree
Born(1891-07-31)July 31, 1891
Zeeland, Michigan, U.S.
DiedDecember 10, 1990(1990-12-10) (aged 99)
Holland, Michigan, U.S.
Notable workFounding Herman Miller
SpouseNellie Miller (1914)

Early life

[edit]

Dirk Jan De Pree was born in Zeeland, Michigan, in 1891. His father, Pieter (Peter) De Pree, was a tinsmith who was active in local politics. His grandparents were Dutch Calvinists who had immigrated to Zeeland in the late 19th century.

De Pree graduated from high school in 1909 and went to work as a clerk for the Michigan Star Furniture Company in Zeeland. The company had been formed four years earlier. De Pree's job consisted of general office work, taking orders from his boss.

Mr. De Pree also served as Pastor of Ventura Baptist Church in Zeeland and served the church as Sunday School teacher for around 20 years.[1]

In 1914, De Pree married Nellie Miller, daughter of Herman Miller. That marriage produced three sons, two of whom would eventually join their father in the business.[2] He also had four daughters.

Career

[edit]

In 1923, De Pree decided to found his own business. With the help of a loan from his father-in-law he bought the Michigan Star Furniture Company. (The two purchased 51% of the stock.) He renamed the company Herman Miller in honor of his father-in-law, who was never active in the business.

In 1960, De Pree contracted an illness which cut short his career. He stepped down as CEO in 1961. When he recovered, there was no longer room for him as CEO. The new management team consisted of sons Hugh and Max De Pree. D. J. continued on as chairman emeritus.[3]

Death

[edit]

De Pree died on Monday December 10, 1990, at the Fountain View Retirement Village in Holland, Michigan. He was 99 years old.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Dirk Jan De Pree founded furniture company." Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI) Thursday, December 13, 1990, Pg. 2B, Columns 1 & 2
  2. ^ "D. J. De Pree". ANBHF. Archived from the original on 2007-02-02. Retrieved 2007-01-16.
  3. ^ Business As Unusual: The People and Principles at Herman Miller. Birch. 1986. ISBN 0-87911-005-8. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  4. ^ Fowler, Glenn (1990-12-13). "Obituary". GLENN FOWLER (NYT). Late Edition - Final, Section D, Page 21, Column 1, 504 words. Retrieved 2007-01-16.
[edit]


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