Peter Van Kleef

Peter Van Kleef (July 12, 1950 – September 8, 2015) was the founder of Cafe Van Kleef at 1621 Telegraph, and is credited with helping revitalize that section of downtown. ²

The Van Kleef family came to the U.S. from the Netherlands in 1956. Peter's parents and older brother were in Indonesia when the Japanese invaded during WWII, and spent time in prison camps. The family was sponsored by Emmanuel Presbyterian Church at 49th and Webster, and arrived in Oakland via train at the 16th Street Station. ¹

1956 ¹

Peter Van Kleef died in 2015. By most accounts, he led an interesting life. ²

In 2017, the block of Telegraph where the bar is was named Peter Van Kleef Way in his memory. ³

Links and References

• Peter Van Kleef, Oakland bar owner, dies at 65 Oakland Tribune September 8, 2015 (via archive.org)
• Bar Owner Peter Van Kleef, an Uptown Oakland Pioneer, Dies at Age 65 East Bay Express September 9, 2015

1. Oakland Is 'America' To Four Dutch Children Oakland Tribune October 2, 1956
2. Beloved Oakland bar owner dies Oakland Tribune September 9, 2015
3. Oakland renames street to honor Van Kleef East Bay Times July 20, 2017