Horst Rechelbacher dies at 72

Horst Rechelbacher, the founder of Aveda and Intelligent Nutrients, passed away at the age of 72 in Osceola, Wisconsin, USA, on 15 February 2014, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Rechelbacher started the Aveda Corporation in 1978 and sold that business to Estee Lauder 1997. He also founded Intelligent Nutrients, a certified organic, food-grade, non-toxic plant-based hair, skin, body, aroma and lifestyle company, and opened his first Intelligent Nutrients Certified Organic Salon in June 2010.

He is also founder and chairman of the Horst M. Rechelbacher Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to social and environmental preservation projects that operate on a grass-roots level. He promoted sustainable ideals and values through profit and non-profit organizations. He also owned HMR Galleries, an art and antiques business involved in producing films including the 1999 film Hidden Medicine. On a local level, Rechelbacher funded the Osceola police dog program and donated monies for the purchase of several emergency vehicles in the village. Rechelbacher is survived by his wife Kiran, son Peter, daughter Nicole, and five grandchildren.

Aveda Global President Dominique Conseil said in a statement on the Aveda website: “It is with profound sadness that we say goodbye to our founder, Horst Rechelbacher, who left his body following a period of illness. His vision inspires us every day, not only in our work with Aveda, but in our lives.” We are and will forever be grateful to Horst for the Aveda passion we are honored to live everyday.” The full statement is available here: http://www.aveda.com/