Irwin Samuel Caplan

Irwin Samuel CAPLAN Born May 24, 1919, son of Samuel and Manya Caplan. He passed away peacefully on February 22, 2007. Irwin is survived by his wife, Madeline; his children, Robert and Debbie Caplan, Steven Caplan and Cathy Feole, Joan and Al Clarke, and daughter-in-law, Deborah Greenberg; grandchildren, Emily and Brendan Reed, Amanda Caplan, Jeremy Caplan, and Jennifer and Taylor Clarke. Irwin graduated from Garfield High School and the University of Washington. He served in the Army during World War II. Irwin was a cartoonist, illustrator, and graphic designer. As a 17-year old high school student, he painted murals at Garfield High School which contributed to Garfield's designation six decades later as an historical landmark. He is best known for two nationally syndicated cartoons, "Famous Last Words" in Saturday Evening Post and "48 States of Mind" in Colliers. He was a member of the National Cartoonists Society. He twice won the National Cartoonist Society Award for advertising art. His fine artwork has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City and the National Gallery in Washington, DC. Several of his paintings are in the permanent collection of the Seattle Art Museum and the Henry Gallery at the University of Washington. He was the Art Director for Expo '74 in Spokane. For over 20 years, Irwin was a part-time instructor in graphic design at the University of Washington and Seattle Central Community College. Irwin was a member of Temple De Hirsch Sinai and the Puget Sound Group of Northwest Painters. He was a devoted family man and friend. Services are Sunday, February 25 at 11:00 a.m. at Butterworth Arthur A. Wright Chapel, 520 West Raye Street, Seattle. Remembrances may be made to the Puget Sound Group of Northwest Painters Scholarship Fund or the Kline Galland Home.