David Jaap van Leeuwen was born in 1952 in San Francisco, California where he attended public schools. His father Jaap van Leeuwen was born in Holland in 1912 and came to the United States after the Second World War. He became a commercial artist and soon met and married David's mother Eleanor. Eleanor was born in Kentucky in 1909. She was a pre school teacher and a musician. Both of David's parents influenced him greatly. His father Jaap, the artist and the world traveler, planted the seeds of adventure and excitement that international travel could bring, and encouraged David in his artistic interests. His mother Eleanor, the teacher and musician, was nurturing and supportive, encouraging David in his love of both art and music.