Richard Merle Kaplan
May 22, 1924 - October 15, 2017
Richard M. Kaplan, attorney at law, was a proud 1951 graduate of the University of Michigan law school and maintained his civil litigation practice in San Francisco for fifty years until retiring at age 77. Over his long and diverse career, Richard believed that Mandel vs. Hodges may have had the most impact of any litigation he handled. This decision by the State of California Supreme Court resulted in state employees having the freedom to take paid time off to celebrate the religious holidays of their choice instead of time off for Good Friday observance. After the landmark decision, Richard was overwhelmed with inquiries from other states as to how they could emulate the policy. He also developed the theory of “private attorneys general” for legal pursuits in the public interest.
Richard served the legal community as President of the San Francisco Lawyers Club. He also participated as a Lawyers Club delegate at many State Bar Conventions. He was an active member of the Jewish community in San Francisco, having served as a Vice President of Congregation Emanu-el, President of the American Jewish Congress Commission on Law and Social Action, as a national board member of the American Jewish Congress, and Chairman of the Jewish Community Relations Council of San Francisco.
In his private life, Richard was an avid skier, runner, a mean tennis player, and a loyal patron of the San Francisco Symphony, Opera and American Conservatory Theatre as well as other arts organizations. His love of traveling took him and wife, Susan, to Europe, Asia and Africa. He also spent much time gardening and creating bonsai. He was an active member of the San Francisco Bonsai Club for at least 35 years. A native of Chicago, Illinois, he lived in San Francisco since 1951. Richard is survived by Susan, his wife of 55 years, his son, Philip, daughter, Ruth, and grandchildren Sarah and Joshua. Richard was the brother of the late Henry S. Kaplan of Stanford, California and the son of the late Nathan and Sarah Brilliant Kaplan. A special thanks to the wonderful staff at Silverado in Salt Lake City for providing such kind and compassionate care of Richard these past three years.
A memorial service will be held at Congregation Emanu-el on Sunday, November 5, at 3:30 PM.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning at the University of San Francisco, the Jewish Community Relations Council of San Francisco, the University of Michigan Law School Fund, or a charity of your choice.