I was so blessed by meeting Joe. Through him I was inspired to become more than I was at the time and now am an Oncology nurse. Loved playing football and baseball with him every Saturday. Enjoyed going to the Cubs games with him. I will always remember him in my heart. Rest in peace Duz..

I'm so happy we were able to say goodbye.  I sat in the window sill listening to you. It was comforting to laugh at your jokes, listen to you whimper about not being able to do your taxes. You had such great energy who could imagine that would be our last visit. I read the letter to you from your relative in Scotland. Then I kissed you bye bye. You made that sound like a purr/roar. I don't know only you could make that sound.  I said, "until next time." You said, "I can't wait!" I love you Joe! Until we meet again! Next time we'll get it right!

I was John Roegge's college roommate.  When I moved to Chicago, he introduced me to his wide circle of childhood friends--which included John, Joe, and to a lesser extent, Jane and the parents, Van Duzer--and for which I thank him.

Chicago is the only place I've ever chosen/selected voluntarily to live.  It still is my favorite city.  When I left 20 years ago, I had hundreds of people there who I liked ("liked" in the pre-Facebook sense, in which I spent hundreds of hours with them).  And I tried to stay in touch but--because people have busy lives and/or maybe I'm just not that likable--but Joe Van Duzer was the only Chicagoan to keep in touch with me all these many years.  This is what I'll remember.  Other than my immediate family, I have probably spent more hours with Joe than anyone else in my life.

I'm sorry that I won't be attending the memorial service--and for a variety of reasons, but in addition, with the flood of memories from Joe's friends and family and my own too, with Chicago and Lake Michigan in the background, I expect I would be uncontrollable, my emotions.  And not to mention, Joe always made me feel like we were the best of friends.  At the memorial, if I were to find out we were somewhat less than what I feel (after all, he never told me how sick he really was) and with my weakened heart, well, that would be devastating.

So I send good thoughts to you all, from Detroit.

   I too was a recipient of Joe's generosity including many Cubs games over the years, and the sense of humor and grace he expressed while dealing with the challenges he faced will stay with me forever. But I would like to comment on seemingly small gifts that Joe gave to me and I suspect to many others.
   After I stopped playing softball and football and moved to another neighborhood I didn't see Joe with any regularity but every so often when I would collect my mail I would find an often oversized envelope with a familiar return address. Joe would remember an interest I had expressed in some subject and clip articles from newspapers, magazine, etc., collect them and send them along. I must admit that there were occasions when I had to really think to remember expressing an interest in something he sent but the items were always interesting and welcome and I am guessing that when his apartment is cleaned out there will be many articles found that were clipped for many people but not yet sent.
   I will really miss those envelopes as I will miss Joe.

Joe was one of the easiest going guys I ever met. We played softball and football together for many years and, even on days I could tell he wasn't 100%,  Joe always had a smile on his face and the greatest laugh! I will never forget him and will miss him dearly.

I met Joe in the late 70's at softball and later on he started calling me Uncle Ger.  We had a disagreement for a couple years and, thank goodness, we got past it.  The last time I saw him in River Woods, I asked him if he knew how old I was and he quickly responded "79!" Then he burst out laughing and beaming and said "I know you are 72"  He was so pleased with himself that he got me. Joe was generous and had a great sense of humor.  I miss him and will continue to do so.

standing out in front of his house....waiting for him to come down with his glove and cleats....riding in that blue, Ford Escort .....watching him on first base arguing with Thompson or somebody else....Priceless!  Those were the best days!

ciao Joe, it was great to talk about politics and sports with you, to make jokes, go for an all you can eat lunch at China town with Gerry,  see the sox at Comiskey park all together... it was great even to drink that undrinkable espresso coffee you made once at your place a few years ago. I have strong  memories that I will keep along. Have a good last run and rest in peace, dear Joe.

He wasn't a blood relative, but during my formative years I certainly felt like he was. Uncle Joe, a name he earned taking us to countless Cubs games, was always ready to have a great afternoon at Wrigley.Though my mother and father both love the sport of baseball, Joe is the first person I can remember taking me to a baseball game. He had the most amazing tickets. They were in the second deck, on the first base line, right next to the TV cameras. Often a foul ball would fly by within feet and Joe would exclaim, "It looks like we might get one today." Alas, we never got a foul ball. 

When Joe would take us to see the lowly Cubs, they were usually struggling in an attempt to stay out of last place. That is when Joe taught me to enjoy the beauty of the game of baseball. He taught me to notice the small things, and he taught me how to understand the game on a different level. Joe taught me how to love a team that failed constantly, and he taught me that a game like baseball wasn't measured solely by runs, outs, or time limits. The game is often measured simply by how much you enjoy it.  Over the course of these games, and throughout the years, I developed a special place for Joe. A place that he will always maintain in my heart. 

Now, as a person who spends upwards of 40 hours a week coaching youth baseball, I'll always know that Joe helped influence the person I became. And, I'll always be glad that it was a person like Joe who was there for me.

OBITUARY

Joseph Edward Van Duzer

February 16, 1958 – May 6, 2015

Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home

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