Last fall, as he did every fall for almost 20 years, Dr. Lee spoke to the parents of incoming students at the ICPS ( Institute of Creative Problem Solving for Gifted and Talented Students). He was a little nervous as usual when he had to address a large crowd, but it did not show, and his wife was in the back listening, reassuring, always supporting, and he appreciated her.
I was fortunate enough to be in that room and hear his inspiring words that came from the heart.
“Hug your children now” he said. That was the essence of Jong Pil Lee.
Dr. Lee had a great understanding of gifted children and tried to relay that to their parents. His sense of family always came across, in the way he encouraged parents to support their children, love their children and volunteer, so their children can grow up to contribute to society as well. He was so proud of his daughters and especially their volunteerism, following in the footsteps of their parents.
“You’re going to come to the program in just a few years, right?” he used to tell my younger son, with his reassuring, encouraging smile.
He believed that with a little help, gifted children and their parents could change the world. He was a crusader, out to correct what was wrong with the American educational system. Dr. Lee impressed me most with his sense of family, volunteerism and patriotism. He had a way of getting people to extend themselves and be happily drafted to the cause.
Last year I was honored to work with Dr. Lee on the Institute website. I was fortunate to spend hours with Dr. Lee listening to his message trying to condense it, transfer it to the quick short manner that the medium required. How do you condense a life’s work and the essence of such a special person into content for the Institute website?
Dr. Lee was remarkably modest and humble, at first he refused to have any mention of himself on the website. He only reluctantly agreed that I list a few of his many accomplishments and awards, only because it made the Institute look good and could help the children.
Dr. Lee greatly appreciated any support of the Institute, whether it was monetary support, or volunteer work. He was always quick with a warm heartfelt thank you and sincere acknowledgement of others.
Dr. Jong Pil Lee was an extraordinarily rare and remarkable man.
I was honored and blessed to have met him along my life’s journey.
With his passing Dr. Jong Pil Lee leaves a great big void in our hearts.