The hiding place

Johan Voskuijl

Johan Voskuijl is the father of Bep. Besides her he had seven other children. Johan has worked since 1937 as a warehouse manager for Otto Frank. He is the only one of the warehouse staff who know about the people in the hidingplace. He keeps an eye on things and because he is so handy, he is asked to hammer the bookcase that hides the access to the secret annex. In 1943, Johan Voskuijl becomes seriously ill. He has stomach cancer and can no longer work. Willem van Maaren succeed him as warehouse supervisor.

Mr Voskuijl and his daughter

As the oldest daughter of a large family, Bep holds a position of responsibility. When Bep’s father falls ill in 1937, he is no longer able to practice his bookkeeping profession. Thanks to her intervention, he is given some work as a foreman in the warehouse of Otto Frank’s company. He is the only person in the warehouse who knows there are people hiding in the building. Father Voskuijl constructs the moveable bookcase that conceals the entrance to the Secret Annex. The rest of the Voskuijl family does not know about the help offered to those in hiding and this is not discussed in their home.

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15 January 1892

Johan is born in Amsterdam.

1937

Employed as a warehouse manager by Opekta.

1943

Johan is diagnosed with stomach cancer. He cannot continue as warehouse manager.

27 November 1945

Johan dies in Amsterdam.

Bep Voskuijl

Bep is a secretary for Otto's company Pectacon.

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Otto Frank

Otto sets up a business in the Netherlands. After that, his family can come over too.

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Anne writes:

“He can't work anymore, and he's just sitting at home, surrounded by his eight children, brooding about his approaching death. I feel very sorry for him and hate not being able to go out, otherwise I'd visit him as often as I could and help take his mind off matters.”