Dr. Herbert Kaplan
Dr. Herbert Kaplan, a distinguished rheumatologist in Denver for 40 years, passed away June 23, 2018, in South Hadley, Mass. The service and burial were held in South Hadley. Douglass Funeral Services in Amherst, Mass., made the arrangements.
“An educator, a mentor and friend to countless colleagues, he was a compassionate caregiver to his patients,” the family said. “Their quality of life was his utmost goal.
“A gifted photographer, Herb shared his passion for world travel and discovery with Beatrice, his wife of 67 years.”
Dr. Kaplan was born Dec. 23, 1929, in New York, NY, and lived in New York, Durham, NC, New Haven, Conn., Munich, Denver and South Hadley, Mass.
He married Beatrice Swire on Dec. 29, 1950.
Dr. Kaplan earned his BS from the University of Oklahoma in 1950 and his MD at Albany Medical College in 1955.
He was assistant chief of the medical service at US Army Hospital in Munich, 1959-1962.
A founding director of the Denver Arthritis Clinic with Walter Briney, MD, Dr. Kaplan was a clinical professor of rheumatic diseases at CU Health Sciences Center.
Recipient of many awards, he was named Distinguished Clinical Professor of Medicine at CU Health Sciences Center in 1998, and received the American College of Rheumatology Gold Medal, the highest honor and lifetime achievement award in the specialty, in 2012.
Dr. Kaplan belonged to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and the American College of Rheumatology, where he served as president from 1993-1994.
He authored more than 48 articles and book chapters.
Dr. Kaplan is survived by his wife Beatrice Kaplan; children Laura Kaplan Benson (Leonard Benson), Janet Kaplan-Bucciarelli (Mark Bucciarelli) and Susan Kaplan Jacobs (Michael Jacobs); siblings Eleanor Kaplan Klein and Burton (Shirley) Kaplan; sister-in-law Elaine Swire (Stephen) Fink; grandchildren John Shanley, Will Shanley, Joy Shanley, Michelle Shanley, Brian Tomas Jacobs, Joshua Jacobs, Sophie Kaplan-Bucciarelli, Jonas Kaplan-Bucciarelli and Brett Babin; and great-grandchildren Drake Caleb Schall, Luke Kitzmiller Jacobs, Sylvia Rose Kitzmiller Jacobs and Eva Soleil Shanley.
Contributions may be made to the Lake George Assn., 2392 NY-9N, Lake George, NY 12845; or the VNA & Hospice/Cooley Dickenson Health Care, 168 Industrial Dr., Northampton, MA 01060.
Copyright © 2018 by the Intermountain Jewish News
Very sorry to hear of Herb’s passing. He was a pleasure to be around. Always respectful, interesting and patient.
Dr Kaplan was the brightest men i have ever met I was a patient of his for years this man saved my life I am able to do the things I can do today because of his abilities as a great doctor and human being I did not know he had passed away i am so sorry to hear this I was so lucky to have known him he will be greatly missed