Aveda founder Horst Rechelbacher died Saturday at his home in Osceola, Wis. He was largely credited as the person who put the organic wellness focus in the salon.

Said Dominique Conseil, global president of Aveda: “It is with profound sadness that today we say farewell to our founder, Horst Rechelbacher, who left his body following a period of illness. His vision inspires us every day, not only at work with Aveda, but in our lives. Horst led a life of extraordinary leadership, creating a vision of what he wanted to be, and then bringing that vision to reality. He became a prominent world-class stylist in his youth. Later as a salon owner, he created a unique model of economic sustainability for salons and spas. He brought holistic beauty to the industry, connecting hair, face, and body as one. He was a life-long student who journeyed around the world gathering knowledge on the benefits of plants and Ayurveda, the ancient healing art of India.

“In 1978, he started Aveda with the ambition of developing beauty products that would care for professionals, their guests, and our planet through the power of pure flower and plant essences. Beyond a business, Aveda became a lifestyle and a global movement empowering many to live more balanced lives to achieve a sense of harmony in body, mind, and spirit.”

Rechelbacher, age 72, died from pancreatic cancer.