Herman van Karnebeek

Herman van Karnebeek studied economics in Rotterdam and then left for the United States, studying the oil industry in Oklahoma. In 1927 he joined the Stanvac Oil Company in the Dutch East Indies and later became general manager in Batavia (later Jakarta). During World War II Van Karnebeek was interned by the Japanese. His life was saved because he was the son of the Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs, and in 1921, he and his father had their picture taken with Japanese Emperor Hirohito on his trip to the Netherlands. Still, his life was difficult in the internment camp, and he narrowly escaped death near the end when he was stabbed, the bayonet narrowly missing his heart.

After World War II Van Karnebeek resumed his duties with Stanvac and became general manager for the Netherlands. He was also highly decorated by the Dutch government for his role in the War. He became a board member of the Netherlands Olympic Committee in 1959 and was named President in 1961. He resigned as President in 1970 because of business duties, but remained on the IOC until 1977, after having beeing elected in October 1964. Van Karnebeek served on the Executive Board from 1968-75, and was successively 3rd, 2nd, and he was 1st Vice-President from 1974-75. As a youth he had been a top fencer, tennis player, and horseman, and from 1950-60 served as President of The Hague Golf Club.