Mentorship & Changing Lives

Throughout his life, Andy J. DeVries has been known not only for the organizations he served or the leadership positions he held, but for the countless individual lives he impacted through mentorship, encouragement, and genuine personal investment in others.

Whether working with students, athletes, young professionals, community leaders, Rotary members, or friends, Andy consistently believed that leadership was about helping people grow, succeed, and believe in themselves. He had a unique ability to recognize potential in others and encourage them to pursue opportunities they may not have seen for themselves.

For decades, mentorship became one of the defining themes of Andy’s life. Through education, coaching, Rotary programs, internships, youth athletics, and community involvement, he devoted countless hours to guiding young people and emerging leaders. Many students and professionals credit Andy for helping open doors, providing encouragement during difficult moments, offering practical advice, or simply taking the time to listen and support them when they needed it most.

His leadership style was never about recognition or personal attention. Instead, Andy focused on building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping others succeed quietly behind the scenes. He believed that small acts of encouragement, consistency, accountability, and kindness could create lifelong impact.

Andy’s mentorship extended far beyond classrooms and organizations. Through sports officiating, coaching, internship programs, Rotary initiatives such as STRIVE, and community service projects, he helped shape confidence, character, leadership skills, and values in generations of people throughout West Michigan.

What makes Andy’s legacy especially meaningful is that many of the people he mentored have gone on to become leaders, educators, business professionals, coaches, volunteers, and mentors themselves — continuing the cycle of service and encouragement that he modeled throughout his life.

While awards and accomplishments help tell part of his story, the true measure of Andy DeVries’ impact can be found in the people whose lives were changed because he chose to invest in them, believe in them, and help them move forward.