David van Duuren

• Verzetsherdenkingskruis (VHK)

David van Duuren, was conservator van het Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen (KIT) in Amsterdam

http://home.deds.nl/~besson/A_Studios/A_David-van-Duuren/david-van-...

Born in 1914 David was a typical Amsterdam person from the popular Jordaan area, father of 5 children. We first had met years ago in my friends farm "Can Pipas" close to Palafrugell in Spain.

During World War II he had been an active defender of his country, was caught and deported to the Dachau concentration camp, where he survived for 4 years until the liberation. Some witness told, that as soon as liberated, David picked up a truck and drove about three dozens of fragile Dutch from the camp all the way back to their home, before returning to his own family. David himself hardly ever mentioned these hard years but told me just once he was suffering from ever returning nightmares.

He continued to live his friendly and helpful way and was to be found every day on the famous Waterloo market just for his pleasure and knowing everyone. Early 1983 he passed away in Amsterdam.