Dr. Joe with his two sisters Teddy (L)
and Ellie (above)
and Ellie (above)
Joe was born in Winterswijk, Holland. July 19, 1917. He was
born into a Jewish family. All his years in Holland he felt an
outsider, never accepted because he was Jewish.
While Joe was young, he became driven to be Chess
Champion of Holland. Joe brushed aside his usual studies
and carried home piles of Chess books. He entered every
tournament available to him, including "blindfolded battles"
where he played against up to twenty opponents, using only
his memory of their boards.
A fine mind and hard work got Joe to be highly ranked in
Holland Chess, but one day he crossed a "natural", a kid so
gifted that no amount of hard work would allow Joe to beat
him. Joe abruptly put chess away, not to touch a piece again
for over 60 years. But Joe used the chess metaphor to solve
life's problems again and again.
born into a Jewish family. All his years in Holland he felt an
outsider, never accepted because he was Jewish.
While Joe was young, he became driven to be Chess
Champion of Holland. Joe brushed aside his usual studies
and carried home piles of Chess books. He entered every
tournament available to him, including "blindfolded battles"
where he played against up to twenty opponents, using only
his memory of their boards.
A fine mind and hard work got Joe to be highly ranked in
Holland Chess, but one day he crossed a "natural", a kid so
gifted that no amount of hard work would allow Joe to beat
him. Joe abruptly put chess away, not to touch a piece again
for over 60 years. But Joe used the chess metaphor to solve
life's problems again and again.
Joe's life in Holland was
threatened. Nazi invasion
was imminent. Mere weeks
before Hitler invaded, Joe's
family moved to the USA.
Much credit was due to
Joe's parents Abraham
and Gisela for facilitating
this.
threatened. Nazi invasion
was imminent. Mere weeks
before Hitler invaded, Joe's
family moved to the USA.
Much credit was due to
Joe's parents Abraham
and Gisela for facilitating
this.
In America Joe joined the Army.
Clearly the Army did not use Joe's
methodical planning to post him.
He was a sharpshooter, fluent in
German, French, Dutch and
English. Nazis had crushed his
country. Where did they post him?
HUGO OKLAHOMA! In
charge of the motor pool.
Clearly the Army did not use Joe's
methodical planning to post him.
He was a sharpshooter, fluent in
German, French, Dutch and
English. Nazis had crushed his
country. Where did they post him?
HUGO OKLAHOMA! In
charge of the motor pool.
| One thing the Army taught me," If you work for yourself, you decide what is right and what is wrong". Joe always worked for himself. He could never abide doing things someone else's way. |
Second Career Builder
Dr. Joseph DeLeeuw, early years in Holland and the U.S. Army
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| When you cross an obstacle, research: how did others solve this problem? If none of the available solutions feel promising, use your mind like a chess board: think,"If I do this, what will happen". Keep plugging in scenarios until a viable option presents. This may take days. |
Dr. Joe
says...
says...
Joe married Olga
Landau, called Ollie.
Despite their
differences they
stayed married
Joe's entire life.
Landau, called Ollie.
Despite their
differences they
stayed married
Joe's entire life.
Dr. Joe
says...
says...
| Dr. Joe says... |
| Dr. Joe says... |
There's more...
Be sure to scroll
down
Be sure to scroll
down
| Radio Surplus A friendly face and a friendly place |
| Dr. Joe Says... His business philosophy is here, in a New Years Greeting to his Store customers. Much can be learned by noting his humor, gratefulness, and overweening sense of purpose. |