Roll Call Tribute
Gerald Kaplan '46 September 12, 2011 9:03 AM
Published in Houston Chronicle from September 11 to September 12, 2011
Gerald Kaplan
Gerald S. Kaplan, born August 15, 1925, passed away September 10, 2011, with his daughters by his side. Father, grandfather, husband, brother, son, uncle, and friend, he lived a full and blessed life. A 1942 graduate of San Jacinto High School, and a 1946 graduate in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M, he remained a proud Aggie throughout his life. He married Hope Elaine Silber in 1949 and they shared many wonderful years together in San Antonio, Texas until her death in 2005.
To those who knew and loved him, he was generous, intelligent, successful, and witty. Becoming the patriarch of the extended Kaplan Family, he took great personal interest in each one's accomplishments, and was always quick to offer genuine advice. He beamed with pride whenever he described his daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. His words said it best in a letter to his grandchildren; "I am a lucky person as all of you are my reason for being. Your happiness is my greatest reason for being."
He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Rose and Henry Kaplan, and wife Hope. Gerald also shared an extraordinary bond with his siblings and siblings-in-law, Irvin Kaplan, Max Kaplan, Sam and Sophie Ann Williamson, and Bill and Tootsie Kolitz, all of whom preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughters, Martha Kaplan Freedman and Lori Kaplan, and his sons-in-law, Donald Freedman and Pedro Aviles. "Pops" to his beloved grandchildren, he is survived by Henry, Emily, Sam and Ilana Freedman and Max Aviles-Kaplan. He is also survived by his brother- and sisters-in-law, Gerald and Gloria Silber, Molly Ann Kaplan and Jo Ruth Kaplan, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was fortunate to have a best friend, Doctor Harold Daily, who besides being his college roommate, was devoted to him until the day he died.
Gerald's family extends heartfelt thanks to his amazing caregivers and friends, Dr. Francisco Maislos, Rose Cantu, "Willow" Yang Jing, Marion Cooper, Carrie Johnson, Tamatha Britton, and Angie Olivarez.
Funeral services will be Monday September 12, 2011, at Noon in Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, North Post Oak Blvd. at Old Katy Road.
The family asks that those who wish to honor his memory direct contributions to the Gerald S. Kaplan Public Lecture Series, Holocaust Museum Houston, 5401 Caroline Street, Houston, TX 77004. This lecture series will take place in conjunction with the Max M. Kaplan Summer Institute.
Houston Jewish Funerals
6605 S. Rice Ave. - Bellaire
For Information
713-666-0257
www.HoustonJewishFunerals.com
Gerald Kaplan
Gerald S. Kaplan, born August 15, 1925, passed away September 10, 2011, with his daughters by his side. Father, grandfather, husband, brother, son, uncle, and friend, he lived a full and blessed life. A 1942 graduate of San Jacinto High School, and a 1946 graduate in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M, he remained a proud Aggie throughout his life. He married Hope Elaine Silber in 1949 and they shared many wonderful years together in San Antonio, Texas until her death in 2005.
To those who knew and loved him, he was generous, intelligent, successful, and witty. Becoming the patriarch of the extended Kaplan Family, he took great personal interest in each one's accomplishments, and was always quick to offer genuine advice. He beamed with pride whenever he described his daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. His words said it best in a letter to his grandchildren; "I am a lucky person as all of you are my reason for being. Your happiness is my greatest reason for being."
He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Rose and Henry Kaplan, and wife Hope. Gerald also shared an extraordinary bond with his siblings and siblings-in-law, Irvin Kaplan, Max Kaplan, Sam and Sophie Ann Williamson, and Bill and Tootsie Kolitz, all of whom preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughters, Martha Kaplan Freedman and Lori Kaplan, and his sons-in-law, Donald Freedman and Pedro Aviles. "Pops" to his beloved grandchildren, he is survived by Henry, Emily, Sam and Ilana Freedman and Max Aviles-Kaplan. He is also survived by his brother- and sisters-in-law, Gerald and Gloria Silber, Molly Ann Kaplan and Jo Ruth Kaplan, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was fortunate to have a best friend, Doctor Harold Daily, who besides being his college roommate, was devoted to him until the day he died.
Gerald's family extends heartfelt thanks to his amazing caregivers and friends, Dr. Francisco Maislos, Rose Cantu, "Willow" Yang Jing, Marion Cooper, Carrie Johnson, Tamatha Britton, and Angie Olivarez.
Funeral services will be Monday September 12, 2011, at Noon in Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, North Post Oak Blvd. at Old Katy Road.
The family asks that those who wish to honor his memory direct contributions to the Gerald S. Kaplan Public Lecture Series, Holocaust Museum Houston, 5401 Caroline Street, Houston, TX 77004. This lecture series will take place in conjunction with the Max M. Kaplan Summer Institute.
Houston Jewish Funerals
6605 S. Rice Ave. - Bellaire
For Information
713-666-0257
www.HoustonJewishFunerals.com
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
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