Theodor Adelbert Heinrich Delbrück
| Geslacht: | Man | |
| Vader: | Heinrich Ludwig Delbrück | |
| Moeder: | Elisabeth Caroline Gropius | |
| Geboren: | 31 MRT 1898 | Berlin-Lichterfelde |
| Overleden: | 18 MEI 1967 | |
| Religie: | E.R. | |
| Aantekeningen: | Last Name: Delbrueck First Name: Theodor Adelbert Heinrich Date of Birth: 31/03/1898 Date of death: 18/05/1967 Rescuer's fate: survived Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC Gender: Male Profession: BANKER Place during the war: Amsterdam, Noordholland, The Netherlands Rescue Place: Amsterdam, Noordholland, The Netherlands Rescue mode: Hiding Other File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/7031) In 1921, when he was offered a position at the German-owned Rhodius Koenigs Bank in Amsterdam, Theodor Delbrück moved with his wife, Therese, and one daughter from Germany to Holland. Over the years, Theodor became an executive with the power of signature at the bank. Due to the political developments in Germany, Theodor requested Dutch citizenship and was granted it in 1936. Through mutual friends, he became acquainted with Chaja Goldstein, a well-known dancer and singer of Yiddish songs, and her husband, Theodor Gusten, a cinematographer, also originally from Germany. A close friendship developed and they visited each other regularly. Through them, Theodor also became acquainted with Hans Lichtenstein, an opera singer. When the persecutions of Dutch Jews commenced, Chaja thought she would be spared because her husband, Theodor Gusten, was not Jewish. However, Gusten, who was working on a documentary film about Jews, was arrested and sent to prison in Berlin. Soon after, Chaja was caught and taken to the Westerbork transit camp. When Theodor learned of her incarceration, he feared that if Gusten remained imprisoned then Chaja would be deported. Theodor immediately contacted his connections in Germany and soon succeeded in having Gusten released. In the meantime, Theodor regularly cycled to Westerbork to visit Chaja and to ensure that she was not included on the transport lists. Once, when Theodor discovered that Chaja was on the list, he managed to meet with the camp commander and have her name removed. Finally, when Gusten returned to Holland, Chaja was released. She and her husband immediately went into hiding and they both survived the war. Theodor also agreed to hide Hans Lichtenstein when he knocked on his door and asked for refuge. Hans stayed with Theodor for about six weeks, until a permanent hideaway was located. Furthermore, in 1943, the Delbrücks took in four-year-old Rena Samuel after her mother was deported to Theresienstadt and she was left alone. Rena was baptized as a Roman Catholic in order to forestall questions. Even after the war, the girl remained with the Delbrück family until her mother was able to settle down and take care of Rena herself. The Samuels immigrated to the United States soon after. Theodor Delbrück never asked for compensation for his actions and hardly ever spoke about his deeds with his children. He believed that he had to do whatever was necessary to try and combat the evil of the Nazi regime, even if it involved endangering his life or the lives of his family. On March 17, 1996, Yad Vashem recognized Theodor Adelbert Heinrich Delbrück as Righteous Among the Nations. |
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| Huwelijkspartner: | Johanna Therese Delfs | geb. 22 Juni 1892 overl. 28 OKT 1969 |
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