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Ronnie Kaplan Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Ronnie Kaplan
Roger H Friedman
February 24, 2022
Please accept my sympathy, I met Ronnie at NAC/Mickey Nickos, he was an awesome guy full of knowledge and wisdom! I loved to go to coffee or lunch where all of his cronies would show up! the stories were unforgettable! Rest in Peace Pal!
Mike Bauer
November 26, 2018
Worked for Ronnie and Greg a long time ago. Have tried to find and connect with Greg.
Bob Marquart
August 24, 2014
I met Ronnie in the early 70's when he was building the chassis for my friend Jim Wick's Pro Stock Duster. I was a kid then but was so impressed that I had the shop build a rolling chassis for a street rod I was building. Ronnie was a true gentleman with more knowledge than anyone I can remember. He treated me, a kid with more respect than deserved. There were always smiles when we were at the shop. Please accept my condolances.
March 5, 2014
Lynne, so sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept our condolences. Rick Doppelt
Joe and Carole Stark
March 5, 2014
Dearest Lynn and family, Words cannot express how deeply sad we are to hear of Ron's passing. Ron, you and your family are in our prayers.
Fifty-two years of marriage is a great accomplishment and memory of you and Ron together. Wishing you comfort and peace. With our love, Joe and Carole Stark
March 4, 2014
To Kaplan's Family
We are soo sorry for the loss. We will remember this wonderful sweet man always had a smile on his face.. Melani and I did lots of theatre together and Ronnie and his wife always a big supporter with a big wonderful heart.. dearly miss you Ronnie..
Jonalee and Edmund Folerzynski
Grant Klufetos
March 4, 2014
I will miss Ronnie a great deal. I only wish I knew him earlier. A great man, and one of the most genuine and integrity driven individuals I have ever met. Ronnie the great story teller always kept his audience in suspence, and usually laughing when he was finished. I will alway cherish oh so brief time spent with him, my phone conversations, & lunches together. When he was presented with a challenge you knew the wheels were turning to find a solution and gain better understanding of what the heck was going on. Additionally, I will miss his heart felt emails, good or bad Ronnie always told it like it was. I am so proud to have know him. My condolences to the Kaplan family and friends.
-Grant Klufetos
bert middleton
March 4, 2014
I met Ron at the old timers lounge at Indy. he and i seemed to get along great and as i found out later he had a lot of friends. He was a very interesting person and will miss him.
Ken & Janet Johnson
March 3, 2014
Dear Lynne,
We were so sorry to hear about Ronnie's passing. We always enjoyed seeing and visiting with Ron at the family gatherings.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your whole family.
Love, Janet & Ken Johnson
Patricia Barry
March 3, 2014
Ron has been a very important, caring, outgoing, friendly person. We always looked forward to seeing him at family gatherings. Leo was always happy when Ron would show up at "the Cousins Lunch". In the first 10 years these lunches were all ladies! Ron will remain in our thoughts forever.
Love, Aunt Pat
Always great to see Ronnie at Indy! Terrific story teller. This photo was taken in 2006.
Rick Sarver
March 3, 2014
Peter Coolsen
March 3, 2014
Dear Lynne,
You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of loss.
I know that you and your husband had a lasting friendship and a long marriage. My condolences to you and your family.
Love,
Peter Coolsen
March 3, 2014
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this trying time. Loss is never easy. May your memories of happier times carry you through.
Mary Christofferson (Swenson)
March 3, 2014
Dear Lynne, I can not tell you how sorry I was to hear about Ron. I know we have not seen each other for a long time, but wanted to let you know how special you and Ron always will be. 50 plus years is so very special, I know you have so many happy memories. Know that you and your family are in my prayers
Maryalice nee Gordon
March 3, 2014
Lynne - we are so sorry...please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and you family at this time. Lynn and Bob
March 3, 2014
Dear Lynne, so sorry to hear about Ronnie. He will be missed. Our prayers are with you and your family. Deb and Chris Paulsen
Terri and Mick Brown
March 3, 2014
May God bless Ronnie and his family. We will remember him always in our hearts.
March 3, 2014
Hello Jill, I am sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
Dorothy Martin (Co Worker)
Bob Falcon
March 3, 2014
Lynn, my thoughts are with you and your loving family during this period of greef. Ronnie, and his family, were my treasured friends during my long period of activity at IMS and I will think of all of you each time I gaze at the remenant of the old motel that Ronnie had sent to me. It will always remind me of the friendships I was so gifted with at The Speedway. Lynn, please keep in touch.
March 3, 2014
Dear Lynne, I was so sad to hear of Ronnie's passing. He had a truly sweet and generous soul. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Patricia Lundy
March 3, 2014
Dear Lynne and Family we bid your beloved Ronnie so-long and we have enjoyed a great run together only enhanced with our memorable experiences with you and your lovely family. Both Nan and I are deeply saddened and our memories are comforting.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. Jack and Nan Martin
Mary and Byron Hathorn
March 3, 2014
oh Lynne, am so sorry for your loss. He was such a nice guy, with a great sense of humor. He and Byron always had such a good time visiting at "engelman" family events and Byron loved being an "email buddy" of his. Our sincerest condolences to your whole family. I know you have an abundance of memories with which to fill the hole he leaves behind. relish them. sincerely, Byron and Scooter Hathorn
March 3, 2014
Dear Lynn and Family, Gary and I are so sorry about the passing of Ronnie. We have many fond memories of him, you and your family. Your family was fortunate in having him as a husband and father. Our thoughts are with you.
Anne and Gary Wilczek
March 3, 2014
A really good man. I first met Ronnie at Indy 500 in '60 when I was 14. My 1st 500 of 51. Everyone from Texas was thrown in the pool at the old Holliday Inn. Dad was friends with Bunker Hunt, Kenny Rich and Paul Lacy.
I think Jim Rathman started it.
It was a great win for Jim, Smokey, Chicky and Ronnie.
May The Lord Bless Ronnie and his entire family.
Barry C. Smyth.
Roger Friedman
March 3, 2014
Lynne, sorry for your loss. Ronnie was a awesome man! I met him through Micky Nikkos. I always enjoyed talking to him about racing. Hw will be greatly missed.
March 3, 2014
To the Kaplan Family
I had the privilege of knowing Ronnie since 1958. We first met at a race (naturally) in Vacaville, California. I was a 21 year old, aspiring race car mechanic and here was Ronnie, with Jim Jeffords, in the "Purple People Eater" Corvette. I was in awe. The potenial National 'B' Production champion, in the flesh. But, Ronnie was about down to earth as anyone could be, and treated me more like a son. He was always willing to share a 'tip' or two, lend a part, or give a word of advice.
He even trusted me enought to let me change the clutch in the Nickey Scarab, at the Riverside race in 1959 while he was doing other race prep chores.
And Lynne; who will ever forget our misadventure at Pacific Raceway in 1964, when Bob Holbert, in the 'King' Cobra, spun in the wet, and sent us both flying; and his and your stay in the hospital in Renton.
I drive by that old hospital building 3 or 4 times a week, and am reminded of that time, in life, when God so graciously spared both our lives.
Even up until last week he was alway ready to share or give me advice and right now I am working on the SR2 Corvette that he and Jim took to the National 'C' Modified championship.
Rest in Peace my friend and I'll see you at that great race track in the sky.
Sincerely and with Love,
Larry Webb
Mark Ogulnick
March 2, 2014
On behalf of AMC enthusiasts everywhere, we are very sorry to hear of Ronnie's passing. Without him, there would not have been a Javelin Trans-Am team. We are grateful to Ronnie for what he did for AMC and AMC racing. In our eyes, he was a true legend. We offer our deepest sympathy to the Kaplan family.
Nancy Smith
March 2, 2014
Greg, Sorry to learn about your dad ... you and your family are in my thoughts. Hope good memories and the love of your family and friends make hard times easier.
david azriel
March 2, 2014
lynne,
although i did not know ronnie real well, he was clearly one of the most unique people i've ever met, and an inspiration, all the way. my heart is with you and your family.
david azriel
Ronnie just after test driving the preproduction Fisker Karma of factory evaluation.
Grant Klufetos
March 2, 2014
Chuck Balkin
March 2, 2014
Lynn,
I am so sorry to hear about Ronnie's passing. My deepest condolences to you and your family. If there is anything I can do please do not hesitate to ask.
Chuck Balkin
1962 Sebring Entry List
Donald Campbell
March 2, 2014
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