Richard Kaplan

Richard Kaplan, "Rick," father of three, grandfather of ten, listener and wise counsel to countless, and one true love of Mary (McGinn) Kaplan, died on October 2, in Minneapolis, MN. He was 78.

Ever thoughtful, Mr. Kaplan packed his bags just as the sun set at precisely 6:51 on Rosh Hashanah eve— it is said that a Jewish person who dies this close to the New Year is a "tzadik," a righteous person. Indeed.

Born in Manhattan and raised in Hempstead, Mr. Kaplan appointed Yankee Stadium his temple; jazz and classical music his soundtrack; and The New York Times his daily. Social justice was his north star— a core memory was attending the March on Washington to hear Martin Luther King Jr.

Mr. Kaplan built a legacy in St. Paul, where he provided legal services to low-income clients, and won a Minnesota Supreme Court case that strengthened tenants' rights. Later, he founded a healthcare research company focused on treatment recommendations for people struggling with addiction.

Work was a distant second to family life, and Mr. Kaplan always found time for a game of catch, a bedtime story, goofball antics, bowls of ice cream, and political chats at the kitchen table. He once said, "To me, the continuing search for wisdom should be one big, long conversation."

He is survived by his sister, Andrea Nouryeh, and his "K18", a nickname for his clan that lived within a mile's distance, including wife Mary, their kids Megan Collins (Casey), Mekea Duffy (Tim), and Philip Kaplan (Kim), and ten beloved grandchildren.

Rick's Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 24, with a 1 p.m. service at Temple Israel in Minneapolis, followed by a 3 p.m.-7p.m. gathering of friends and family at The Lexington Restaurant in St. Paul.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name can be sent to:

The Temple Israel Rabbi Sim Glaser Fund for Learning and Justice: LINK TO DONATE

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services: LINK TO DONATE