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In memory of
Dr. Paul Polak
1933 - October 10, 2019
1933 - Oct 10, 2019
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Paul's obituary
to Hugo Polak and Marta Baum. His family fled to Canada in 1939 when
Paul was 6 to escape the Nazis in WW II.
The family (Mom, Dad, Paul, and Alec) arrived in the small town of
Millgrove, Ontario as refugees sponsored by the synagogue in
Hamilton. The boys attended a one-room schoolhouse until going to
High School in Hamilton, Ontario.
Paul received his MD from Western Ontario University in London,
Ontario. He completed his Psychiatry residency at the University of
Colorado where he met his wife Agnes Potter. They fell in love and
were engaged to be married within 6 days. They happily married three months
later.
Paul and Aggie made their home in Colorado where they raised three
daughters, Amy, Kathryn, and Laura. He has two grandchildren Elena and
Ethan. They are very deeply loved.
Paul practiced psychiatry for 23 years in Colorado. To better
understand the environments influencing his patients, he would visit
their homes and workplaces. He became inspired to apply what he had
learned to serve the 800 million people in the world who live in
extreme poverty. He accomplished that through the many projects and
companies he has founded including
International Development
Enterprises (IDE) - a non-profit organization that has brought nearly
50 million families out of poverty, The Design Revolution (D- Rev) -
inspiring first world designers, engineers, and others to dedicate
their talents to solving problems of the other 90% or customers typically
ignored customers, Windhorse International, Transform Energy -
replacing coal with alternative fuel sources, and Spring Health - safe
drinking water initially in India. Many of these projects spearheaded
by Paul is being continued by his friends and colleagues.
He has written two books: Out of Poverty and The Business Solution to Poverty.
He was an innovator, a trouble maker, and a visionary who will be sorely missed.
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Memories & condolences
I just loved him dearly. We connected at the heart and worked to mature humanity every moment of every day. I stand tal…
I just loved him dearly. We connected at the heart and worked to mature humanity every moment of ev…
I just loved him dearly. We connected at the heart and worked to…
His is a wonderful story. Little did I think that the guy I played tackle football with, did baseball drills, learned…
His is a wonderful story. Little did I think that the guy I played tackle football with, did base…
His is a wonderful story. Little did I think that the guy I pla…
I always admired Paul's vision and drive on international development and entrepreneurship in Africa, SE Asia, and Indi…
I always admired Paul's vision and drive on international development and entrepreneurship in Afric…
I always admired Paul's vision and drive on international develo…
I just wrote a long beautiful piece and it disappeared when they said I had to checkin....it was really good!!
I just wrote a long beautiful piece and it disappeared when they said I had to checkin....it was re…
I just wrote a long beautiful piece and it disappeared when they…
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