From Iwo Jima to a Life of Purpose: A Conversation with Dr. Richard Jessor

Some interviews make you think. Some make you feel. And every now and then, one does both in a way that stays with you long after the conversation ends. My recent discussion with Dr. Richard "Dick" Jessor was one of those rare moments.

At 100 years old, Dr. Jessor sat across from me—sharp, reflective, and filled with the kind of perspective that only comes from a century of living with purpose. He has witnessed war, shaped the field of behavioral science, and spent a lifetime exploring what it means to live meaningfully. And in our conversation, he shared those hard-earned lessons in a way that was both deeply personal and profoundly relevant.

A Marine at Iwo Jima

Eighty years ago, Dick Jessor was a young Marine landing on the black volcanic sands of Iwo Jima, fighting his way through one of the most brutal battles of World War II. He dodged bullets and artillery, watched friends fall, and somehow made it through. The experience did not define him, but it shaped him. He carried it forward—not as a burden, but as a lesson. A reminder of what life is, what it costs, and how much of it is up to you.

A Life of Inquiry and Impact

After the war, Dr. Jessor did not disappear into the background. He built something. He became a pioneer in behavioral science, seeking to understand why people do what they do. He helped found the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, shaping a field that continues to influence public policy, education, and human development.

Beyond his academic work, he lived with the same drive and resilience that carried him through war. He ran eight New York City Marathons. He climbed mountains around the world. He remained a student of life, always seeking to understand, to improve, and to challenge himself.

A Conversation That Stays With You

I sat down with Dr. Jessor expecting a 30-minute interview. More than an hour later, I was still listening. And I could have kept going.

Because when someone like this tells their story—about surviving one of the toughest battles in history, about finding purpose after war, about what it really means to live a meaningful life—you don’t want them to stop.

This was one of the most fascinating conversations I have ever had. If you can spare an hour, I promise you won’t regret it. You’ll walk away better for it.

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