Donald Kaplan
Andover, N.H. — Donald H. Kaplan, M.D., died peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, surrounded by his devoted family at the home he shared with Nancy (Wilkins) Kaplan, his wife of more than 58 years, in Andover.
His was a life extraordinarily well lived, full of learning, leadership, community service, travel, sports and innumerable friends near and far. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and admirers from many walks of life and geographies.
Born on May 6, 1929, to Charles and Pauline Kaplan, he grew up in Cedarhurst, N.Y., with his older brother, Robert Kaplan, formerly of South Orange, N.J. He attended the Loomis School (1947), Harvard University (1951) and New York Medical College (1955).
Kaplan interned at Henry Ford Hospital, where he met his future bride. He served as physician for DesRon 23 in the U.S. Navy from 1956-58. He fulfilled his residency at the Yale-New Haven Hospital and established the Thames Eye Group in New London, practicing as an ophthalmologist in New London, Mystic and Westerly, from 1960-96.
He was an avid sailor, completing four Newport-Bermuda races, four Marblehead-Halifax races and one trans-Atlantic crossing in 1991. He was a member of the Cruising Club of America, Ocean Cruising Club and Ram Island Yacht Club. He also enjoyed tennis, skiing, camping and hiking.
The Kaplans lived in Mystic for 40 years and were very active in civic activities. Kaplan was president of Temple Emanu-El at its former home in Groton and president of the staff at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. He was a longtime member of the Ragged Mountain Fish & Game Club in Andover, N.H., for which he served as president and created the Ragged Mountain Fish & Game Club’s Endowment Fund.
In retirement, he became active in and served as president of the Andover Lion’s Club. He served on the Board of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind and was president of the Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation of New Hampshire.
In addition to his wife, Dr. Kaplan is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Lawrence and Lisa Kaplan of Lyme; his daughter and son-in-law, Susan Kaplan and Eben James of Wayland, Mass.; and his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth Kaplan and Stefano Rusconi of Milan, Italy. He leaves six grandchildren, Natalie and Rachel Kaplan; Fletcher and Keillor Kaplan-James; and Rebecca and Olivia Rusconi.
Arrangements are being made for a late December service.
Anyone wishing to make a donation in his name is asked to contribute to Ragged Mountain Fish & Game Club’s Endowment Fund (RMFG&C Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 1838, New London, NH 032571838) or the Lake Sunapee Region Visiting Nurses Association (LSR VNA & Hospice, 107 Newport Road, P.O. Box 2209, New London, NH 03257).