Vermeer Pieter

Vermeer, Willem & Geertruida Maria (Stegenga) & Pieter Willem Vermeers, an electrician, and his wife Geertruida (Truus) had 11 children. This Catholic family, which was not well off, lived in Brunssum, Limburg. Of their children, at least two, Mien (later Musch*) and Pieter (Piet), were active in the NV* underground movement that focused on saving young children from the clutches of the Nazis. The NV operated in Amsterdam, where the members smuggled children out of the crèche, from where they would have been deported to the east, and took them to hiding places in Limburg and Overijssel. The Vermeers’ home served as a first stop for many children on their way to their hideouts. Piet was active in Amsterdam, working at the two places where Jewish adults and their children were assembled before being taken on the long trip to the east---the Hollandsche Schouwburg and the crèche opposite. He was involved in escorting children from there to his parents’ home in Brunssum, from where permanent hideouts were located. Together with Joop Woortman*, he looked for families where the children could be placed and, once placed, kept in touch with them and took them food, clothing, and food coupons. These missions put Joop and Piet in great danger and Joop was eventually arrested and sent to Bergen-Belsen, where he died. The Vermeers’ home was always full of fugitives---Jews, downed Allied pilots, and others. The sisters Lea and Rachel Winnik (later Nunen and Ben-Chaim, respectively) were among those who stayed temporarily in the house, which also served as a meeting place for members of the NV group. Mien and her husband, Gerard Musch, had joined the NV together. She helped her brother Piet accompany the children on the train to Limburg and look for families willing to shelter the children. She too endangered her life by performing such courageous acts. On September 22, 1981 , Yad Vashem recognized Willem Vermeer, his wife, Geertruida Maria Vermeer-Stegenga, and their sonPieter Vermeer as Righteous Among the Nations.