 His father was a certified meat inspector who became the director of the cooperative store "De Dageraad", literal translation "The Dawn", in Winterswijk, where he had a seat on the town council for the Dutch Social Democratic Workers' Party (SDAP).Van Dam showed an early interest in art, drawing portraits and painting landscapes, and although his father did not encourage an artistic career he did provide Van Dam with early painting commissions.Between 1922 and 1929 Van Dam attended the Rijks Hogere Burgerschool in Winterswijk.