Albert Kaplan

by | Aug 30, 2013 | Obituaries

Norfolk —Albert Kaplan was born January 13, 1924, at St. Vincent DePaul Hospital on Church Street in Norfolk,Va.

His parents were Ida Goldman Kaplan and Sol Kaplan.

The family lived in Park Place on 27th Street before moving to the duplex home they built at Gates and Harrington Avenue. Albert was the third child in the family and is predeceased by sister Hanna Shapiro Eisenstein and brother Milton Kaplan.

He is survived by his younger sister Tamra Kaplan Kruger, his loving wife of 67 years, Libbie, and his much loved son Jay Allan Kaplan of Jerusalem, Israel. He had three grandchildren: his loved and loving granddaughter, Shayna Rachel Kaplan of Richmond, Va., and his loved grandsons Benjamin Kaplan and Solomon Kaplan. He was predeceased by his adored daughter Janis Lynn Kaplan, the love of his life, who died in 1990.

The Kaplan children grew up in West Ghent where they attended Taylor Elementary School, Blair Junior High School, and Maury High School. When Albert graduated from Maury he attended Virginia Tech for a short time before going into the Army Air Force. He spent several years training Air Force crews before their overseas duty. He chose to go overseas with the 388th Air Force Group to the South Pacific where he landed in Layte in the Philippines. He moved with the Air Force throughout the Pacific and was scheduled, with his unit, to move to Japan. Truce in the Pacific was declared and after several months of duty in Japan he was fortunate to return to his family and friends in Norfolk. He chose to return to the family business, J. Goldman and Company, while attending Old Dominion College. Albert met his fondest love, Libbie, and they were married on Dec. 8, 1946.

Albert was a founding principal in the catalogue business known as Brand Distributors, Inc., headquartered in Norfolk. Albert proudly served with other community members on the board of the Tidewater Credit Association for 10 years or more. He enjoyed being involved in many social organizations as a youngster. He was president of Beth El’s chapter of A.Z.A., sponsored by B’nai Brith. He was a Boy Scout member of Troop #11 from Ohef Sholom Temple where he formed lifelong friendships with members. He was president of the Gold Band Club, which gave him great pleasure. His life-long love for Judaism brought him to continually working for Congregation Beth El in Norfolk. He was interested in the Hebrew education of Jewish children and helped to establish an afternoon Jewish Hebrew School which was open to the children of all congregations. He was vice president of the Southern Region of United Synagogue of America and was awarded Man of the Year Award of Congregation Beth El in the 1970s, having served in almost every office.

Albert served as president of Beth El, 1974–1976. He has remained on the board of directors and continued to be part of the congregation. Albert connected his religious life to all aspects of Congregation Beth El. When moving to Sarasota, Fla., he became a member of Beth Sholom Temple. He continued his religious life at both Beth El and Beth Sholom. He has been a supporter of the United Jewish Federation, the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater and of Beth Sholom Village in Virginia Beach.

Albert had always been a strong supporter of family relations. He took great pleasure in his family. His nieces and nephews were of the utmost importance to him.

Graveside services took place in Forest Lawn Cemetery with Rabbi Jeffrey Arnowitz and Cantor Gordon Piltch officiating. Donations to The Janis Lynn Kaplan Fund for the Developmentally Delayed, Tidewater Jewish Foundation, 260 Grayson Road, Virginia Beach, 23462, c/o Ms. Sue Graves or to Congregation Beth El, 422 Shirley Avenue, Norfolk, VA, 23517, or to Beth Sholom Village, 6401 Auburn Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Norfolk Chapel.