Osdorp in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Peter Diesveld
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 16, 2024
1. Peter Diesveld Marker
Zevenaar, 3 januari 1912 - Amsterdam, 6 oktober 1992
Dankzij accountant Diesveld (roepnaam Peter) bleef de Joodse uitgeverij Keesing tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog uit handen van de nazi's. Samen met zijn vrouw Dini Kraneveldt verborg hij ook verschillende Joodse onderduikers en andere Nederlanders die voor de Duitsers op de vlucht waren. Diesveld verzamelde informatie om na de oorlog de eenzijdige bericht-geving van de bezetter te vervangen. Hij liet daarvoor, in samenwerking met Vrij Nederland, uitzendingen van de Engelse radio vastleggen. Als dank werd hij na de oorlog, toen hij de uitgeverij in goede staat kon teruggeven, door eigenaar Isaac en zijn zoon Leo als derde directeur aangesteld. Keesing groeide uit tot een florerend bedrijf, onder andere bekend van de Denksport puzzelboeken. Diesveld en zijn vrouw werden in januari 1992, het jaar van hun overlijden, door Yad Vashem onderscheiden voor het redden van Joodse mensen.
Thanks to accountant Diesveld (nickname Peter), the Jewish publishing house Keesing remained out of the hands of the Nazis during the Second World War. Together with his wife Dini Kraneveldt, he also hid several Jewish people in hiding and other Dutch people fleeing from the Germans. Diesveld collected information to replace the one-sided reporting of the occupying forces after the war. To this end, he had broadcasts from English radio transcribed in collaboration with Vrij Nederland. As a thank you, after the war, when he was able to return the publishing house in good condition, he was appointed as third director by owner Isaac and his son Leo. Keesing grew into a flourishing company, known for its Denksport puzzle books, among other things. Diesveld and his wife were decorated by Yad Vashem in January 1992, the year of their death, for saving Jewish people.
Erected by Geef
this page online
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Give Streets a Face / Geef Straten Een Gezicht, and the Heroes of the Dutch Resistance (GSEG) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is January 3, 1912.
Location. 52° 21.087′ N, 4° 47.319′ E. Memorial is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Osdorp. It is on H. Diesveldsingel, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: H Diesveldsingel 45, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1060 RL, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Piet Nak (a few steps from this marker); Guus Reitsma (within shouting distance of this marker); Nel Hissink (about
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 16, 2024
2. Peter Diesveld Marker - wide view
Also see . . . Peter Diesveld (Wikipedia, in Dutch).
On his wartime efforts (in translation): Keesing and other Jewish employees were forcibly dismissed by the German occupier, with Keesing giving his accountant Diesveld all the powers of attorney to guide the company through the uncertain times. From the beginning of 1942, after Keesing had left for the United States with the permission of the Germans, until the end of the war, he was director of the company and lived in the Keesings' house on Grensstraat in Amsterdam. From 1943 until a few months after the war, the young couple also provided a hiding place for the parents-in-law of Keesing's son Leo.(Submitted on April 10, 2024.)
During the war, Diesveld succeeded again and again in preventing the Germans from requisitioning the company, despite the fact that a 'Verwalter' (Nazi administrator) had already been appointed in May 1941. He did this by using all kinds of legal tricks to delay the process. He managed to obtain food for the company's more than 100 employees, including by purchasing a plot of land outside the city, where the employees could rent a piece of land to grow vegetables. He also hid many Jewish people in hiding in the company building of Keesings Publishing Company.
Twice, Diesveld managed to dissuade the administrator from the idea of dropping the Keesing name, and at the last minute he prevented the entire contents of the company from being removed to Germany.
After the war, Diesveld transferred the company back to Keesing in as good a condition as the circumstances had allowed. The accounting was in perfect order and the Keesings received all their personal belongings back in the condition in which they had left them.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 153 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 10, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
