I have always been intrigued by the quietest person in the room. When they spoke, it was usually profound, intentional, and moving. They offered a level of mystery and a bit of the unknown. And so it was with Joseph B. Strauss, D.C., F.C.S.C.
Since BJ Palmer’s passing, chiropractic has been left with only a handful of writings. Joe Strauss has been one of the profession’s most prolific authors, having written 24 Blue Books, including seven commentaries on the Green Books. Like his conversations, little was ever wasted on trivia. He thought concisely, wrote concisely, and stood concisely…a bigger giant does not exist.
He wrote with simplicity so that even the layperson could understand him. His tenderness, which some mistakenly took as timidity, was offset by his boundless certainty, deep thought, and enormous conviction for chiropractic. Those who dared to dig deeper were left with incredible insight, unparalleled awe, and an appreciation for a man who could take the complex and break it down into digestible bites to savor for a lifetime.
Joe loved chiropractic. He was committed to his patients/practice members and believed wholeheartedly that everyone should receive chiropractic care. He epitomized the “box on the wall” way of doing business, and he never appeared to want despite what some may have thought of that method of doing business.
He was a caring husband, a loving father, and a dedicated mentor to so many. His kindness oozed with every word he uttered. When in his presence, there was never a doubt or uncertainty. When Joe spoke, one could not help but listen.
He was concerned about the future of chiropractic, but he never gave up hope. He loved those who loved chiropractic and gave to them like few others. Joe remembered everything. If you met him even casually at an event, he’d remember you the next time he saw you. His brain, his mind, and his being were something that most of us could only hope to have. Joe was…Joe.
His depth of understanding of chiropractic philosophy, history, science, and politics was so deep that his discussions rolled off his tongue with little to no effort. He knew what he knew, and what he knew was deeply profound.
Joe loved people. He loved humanity. He loved possibility. He loved chiropractic.
There may never be another Joe. He left us with a void. He left us empowered. He left us better.
His hope for us chiropractors was that we would honor the sanctity and purity that DD and BJ left us. He felt strongly about protecting the ‘Sacred Trust.” He wrote in “Refined by Fire” on page 301:
“The straight chiropractor and his philosophy and principles will be further refined and strengthened by the intense heat of medical and government efforts to destroy the profession. When the political fires have ended, when health reform in this country has destroyed some and has caused others to thrive, when mixing chiropractic has been absorbed or obliterated, standing firm amidst the ashes of the chiropractic profession’s self-destructive, selfish actions, will be straight chiropractic, stronger and purer than ever, a refuge for every chiropractor who wants to continue to practice. The firm roots of its philosophy and the resiliency of its practitioners will assure its perpetuation, purer and stronger than ever. MERELY THE BEGINNING”
Like the greats before him, Joe stood resolute in his knowing that chiropractic could impact the world in such a positive way. He was unyielding. He was certain. He was kind.
I wish I could have known him more. I wish we could have all known him more. We can honor him by staying true to chiropractic as the Palmers would have us do. You can keep him by reading his writings and sharing his truths with those who are willing to listen.
We shared a love for chiropractic. He honored those whose commitments began to approach his. I am the fortunate benefactor of having gotten his attention, and I am eternally grateful.
He sent me a lovely note with a copy of his autographed book, “Refined by Fire,” I often ask myself, “Why me?” This means more to me than nearly everything else in chiropractic.
My hope is that we all have the conviction that Joe Strauss had. In doing so, planet Earth will undoubtedly be a better place and may even approach BJ’s Utopia.
Thank you, Joe. You mattered greatly.
