HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – The founder and chairman of Request Foods has died.
The family of Jack De Witt announced on Friday his passing at the age of 75 after a 13-month battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord. (The same brain tumor Sen. John McCain has.)
Mr. De Witt was surrounded at his death by family members, including his wife of 54 years Mary.
The son of Bil-Mar Foods co-founder Marvin De Witt, Mr. De Witt purchased the prepared-entrees division of that company when Sara Lee bought Bil-Mar in 1987. He then launched Request Foods three years later with a staff of 180 at a 90 thousand square-foot facility on Holland’s North Side. Request has grown to over 900 staffers in two separate Holland-area facilities totaling 685 thousand square feet, creating over 800 custom foods for customers in and beyond the US.
Besides his corporate accomplishments, Mr. De Witt was a strong believer who co-founded Grace Chapel in Zeeland, supported various Christian institutions of higher learning such as Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, and was a part in the development of the Jim Kaat Baseball Park and the SportsQuest Family Center in Zeeland.
What is being called a “celebration of life” for Mr. De Witt is set for next Satuday, June 30, at 11 AM in Central Wesleyan Church. Full funeral details are now available through the Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home.
