Stumbling Stone Westerhaven 11a

This small, brass, memorial plaque (stolperstein or struikelsteen) commemorates:

* Henri Rots, born 1898, resistance fighter, arrested 16 October 1944, Scholterhuis, executed 28 October 1944, Westerbork.

Background

Henri Rots studied architecture and became an architect. He Trijntje de Langen married in 1924. In 1931, they moved into the flat above the shop at 11a, a building which he himself had designed. He established the Architectenbureau Henri Rots at this location. Architectural Office. His work was primarily for Groningen city and province, and he designed a number of store fronts in Groningen as well as working on new construction and rennovations for residences, schools, and other buildings. He was active in his field, serving on architectural boards and teaching classes. Some of his works have been designated as national monuments.

In World War II, Henri Rots was in the Resistance. He was a leader in Air Defense. The house served as HQ for the National Organization for People in Hiding (Landelijke Organisatie voor Hulp aan Onderduikers) and as shelter for the vigilante group he joined. His wife almost always answered the door so that, if needed, others in the house could escape out the back door. But on 16 October 1944, Henri, working in the cellar and close to the front door, opened it -- to the German SD Sicherheitsdienst. They arrested him and took him to Scholtenhuis for interrogation and beatings. Henri Rots was then transferred to Westerbork and executed (shot) there on 28 October 1944 along with six other members of the resistance. His body was cremated at Camp Westerbork. His name is on the Esserveld War Memorial at Esserweg 22 in Groningen.

His architectural firm survived. The family did not know what happened to him for many years. When he did not return home, his wife gave management of the firm first to her brother-in-law and then to Henri’s nephew, Jan Rots.

"Stolpersteine" is an art project for Europe by Gunter Demnig to commemorate victims of National Socialism (Nazism). Stolpersteine (stumbling stones) are small, 10x10cm brass plaques placed in the pavement in front of the last voluntary residence of (mostly Jewish) victims who were murdered by the Nazis. Each plaque is engraved victim’s with the name, date of birth, and place (mostly a concentration camp) and date of death. By doing this, Gunter Demnig gives an individual memorial to each victim. One stone, one name, one person. He cites the Talmud: "A human being is forgotten only when his or her name is forgotten."

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Source

• Text: Anne Palmer
• Photos: Suzanne Matrosov-Vruggink (1), Suzanne Matrosov-Vruggink (2), Suzanne Matrosov-Vruggink (3)
• Stolpersteine Schilderswijk Groningen: Henri Rots
• Stolpersteine.eu