A suprising legacy

Our major donors give large sums privately or corporately, one time or annually. There are also an increasing number of people who include us in their wills. As University Fund, we feel it is important to know them personally.  
Caring is a big theme for us in this regard. We want to know what their vision or dream for the future is and how we can make their donation contribute to that as much as possible. That is why we often speak to each other several times. We record the agreements in a contract. That way we make it clear and transparent for everyone.   

Good news and bad news  

So far the ideal situation. Because sometimes we do get surprised. That was the case with this particular legacy. It started with a phone call from Peter Tax, a lawyer in everyday life. But now he called as a board member of a foundation and told us that we were going to receive a wonderful amount of money every year. And this is from the Fred and Thea Philips Foundation. Now you are probably thinking the same as we were at that moment. But no, Thea and Fred Philips are not related.... Indeed, they could not - at first glance - be further from the scientific world or technology.   
When we heard that this was a foundation, we already feared that we would not be able to go and thank Thea and Fred personally. After all, foundations like this often become active only after the death of their namesakes. Unfortunately, this indeed turned out to be the case. Both had passed away in the meantime. Fred in 2021 and Thea, after an intense history of medical discomfort, as early as 2012. Because we still wanted to honor them for their contribution to TU/e and to a brighter future, we set out to investigate. We take you through what we discovered.   

The three beneficiaries  

In their will, Thea and Fred named three beneficiaries who can count on an annual contribution: our University Fund, the University of Leuven (BE) and Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem.   

Of Burgers' Zoo, we know that Thea and Fred loved to visit there, had fond memories of it and were very committed to nature. "Their contribution will therefore be used for nature conservation and nature protection projects," said Director Alex van Hooff.

The choice of Leuven University stemmed from Thea's final years. After the couple moved to Belgium, Thea developed medical complaints. For years they did not know what was wrong with her and for research she regularly went to the hospital in Genk. That works closely with the University of Leuven. Very likely the choice for TU/e is an extension of that, because many research and projects in the field of health, among others, connect Eindhoven and Leuven.    

A note of an intention  

Thea and Fred's will also includes two people: their housekeeper and Frieda Groenewegen Pieron, who had been a close acquaintance of Fred and Thea for many years. We agree with Peter to visit Frieda to find out more about Thea and Fred Philips.

Meanwhile, we dive into our archives and discover that Fred had already contacted the University Fund. A note from well before the Covid19 pandemic mentions that he planned to leave money. The purpose is also mentioned: medical device research. But as succinct as the previous two sentences was the annotation. Indeed, the stated purpose is also in the foundation's bylaws. But we are still none the wiser about Thea and Fred themselves. For that, we look hopefully to Frieda and Peter.   

Not the only one surprised  

Peter Tax is not only a seasoned lawyer; in the 1990s he was also Fred and Thea's neighbor. Peter had given Fred some legal advice at the time, "But those were just some tips you give as a neighbor, not as someone's in-house lawyer," Peter said. Only decades later would it become clear where that advice had led. Without telling him, Fred and Thea had appointed Peter to establish a foundation in their name and this foundation was also the sole heir.  

So far, nothing out of the ordinary. But to their great surprise, Peter and his daughter Amber turned out to be appointed board members of that foundation, along with a third person, Jan Greve, who has expertise in investments. Moreover, Peter also turned out to be the executor of the estate. Peter: "Those were surprises. But it was also typical of Thea and Fred to arrange it that way. 

They were quite by themselves and I didn't have the impression that they trusted many people. So I think it's also an honor that they trusted me and my daughter with their foundation."  

A career in party supplies  

Frieda says of the couple: "Thea and Fred married in a sober ceremony in 1969. They didn't think a party was necessary. After that they lived in Amsterdam, Wijchen and Maaseik (BE), among other places."   

Peter: "Neither of them did work that you normally build up enough wealth to help charities years after you die. They did handle their money very frugally."   

Frieda: "Thea worked at the Dutch Bank, Fred rotated for a time in his father's advertising and party supplies business. Later he switched to a German supplier. He was a man with a feisty character and a good chat. That also made him such a good salesman. "

The war

The story behind the fate of Thea and Fred is extraordinary: Fred's father had a printing business that served the upper end of the market with his brother before the war . The family was Jewish, and although they were secular, the same black fate awaited them as so many others in '40-'45.   

Frieda: "Fred's brother had previously been caught in a raid and taken to camp Mauthausen. He never returned.  Father, mother and Fred ended up in Camp Theresiastad." Their print shop was looted and the machines disappeared.   

Once back in Amsterdam, the family recovered their premises, which would later prove to be the basis for their fortune. They started a business again. This time in advertising and party supplies. Fred joined them and the business ran well for many years.

Vroom & Dreesman & smart investing  

Frieda: "In the 1970s, department store Vroom & Dreesman wanted to buy the building to create parking spaces there." Fred's father thought it was a good time to sell and entered into negotiations. Frieda: "When the signatures were under that contract, we did have a little celebration.".   

The proceeds of the sale were invested. Peter: "Over the years that has paid off well. Thea and Fred also lived quite modestly. At least not as if they had a lot of money." According to both Frieda and Peter, the couple was fairly self-contained and closed-minded. Especially when it came to money matters.

Distance and other lives   

After Frieda stops working for Fred, the two still kept in regular contact. "But the travel distance between us was great and we lived completely different lives," Frieda said. After the death of Frieda's second partner, contact intensifies again. When Thea dies in 2012, Frieda and the Philips family's former housekeeper go to the funeral. Frieda: "When Fred saw us there, we immediately had to join him in the follow car. We talked a lot then. We used to do that too. I really saw him as my big brother."

Belgium   

Frieda and Fred resolve at that moment to see each other more often. But Covid19 throws a spanner in the works. Shortly after the period of lockdowns and 1.5 meters away, Fred dies. Soon after, Peter is told that he must formalize the foundation and take office as president. After recovering from the surprise, he and the other board members visit the beneficiaries. Peter: "That was a special experience. The people you talk to are happy, of course, but they also have questions about the Philips family that, unfortunately, I don't always have answers to either."

A beautiful ending   

What remains now is several boxes of photos of a happy couple, their friends and family. They had no children and all their immediate family members died long ago.   

We see it as our responsibility to give Thea and Fred's story a well-deserved happy ending. Their contributions are going to make possible projects that are going to make our world healthier. We make sure it benefits the first goal in our motto: For Life. For The World. For The Better.