David KAPLAN

DAVID LEON KAPLAN
1923 - 2015
With great sadness the family announces the death of David Kaplan, which occurred at his residence in Saskatoon on Monday, April 6, 2015 at the age of 91 years. He is survived by his wife Susanne Micheaux Kaplan, son Jonathan Kaplan of Jerusalem, Israel, son Edward Kaplan of Hamden, CT and daughter Sarah Kaplan of Cornwall, ON; grandchildren Naomi Kaplan Damary, Rachel Orpaz, Allison Kaplan, Serena Cortes- Kaplan and Hannah Cortes-Kaplan; great-granddaughter Michal Ruth Damary and step children Ivor MacKay and Elise Ginsburg. He was predeceased by his parents Joshua Samuel and Nettie Kaplan, brother Charles Kaplan and wife Harriett Elaine Kaplan. David was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 12, 1923. He served in the US Army from 1942 to 1946, and received his Bachelor's of Music at Roosevelt University (Chicago), Master's of Music at Oberlin College (Ohio) and PhD in Music at Indiana University. Teaching music took him to Chicago, rural Illinois, Texas and Saskatoon. His career path included teaching, conducting, composing, adjudicating and serving as a member of provincial and national music organizations. He was also a co-creator of Saskatoon's Festival of Faith. He researched and collected musical instruments from around the world which now make up the Kaplan Collection at the University of Saskatchewan. David was an active member of the Saskatoon Jewish Community, Nutana Rotary Club, Saskatchewan Music Educators Association, Saskatoon Multi- Faith, and Saskatoon Folk Fest. In recognition of his work, he received numerous awards, most notably the Order of Canada in 2002. Some of his favorite pastimes and hobbies included stamp collecting, travelling, reading, tennis, camping, raising Scottish terriers and drinking a good chocolate phosphate. David was known for his extreme sense of Chicago humour and comical facial expressions. His children fondly remember his original stories of Mr. Minisk, camping and his generosity. Music continued to be David's main passion and in his later years he founded the Saskatoon Klezmer Band for which he composed and arranged numerous pieces. Funeral Services will take place on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Agudas Israel Synagogue (715 McKinnon Avenue) with interment to follow at the Agudas Israel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David's memory to the United Way, the University of Saskatchewan Department of Music and Congregation Agudas Israel. Condolences may be sent to mail@saskatoonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home.