Arnold Kaplan

KAPLAN, ARNOLD
Arnold Kaplan, age 99 of Scottsdale, AZ., passed away on Thursday August 29, 2013. Arnold was born in Malden, MA., and was a graduate of Boston Latin School, and from the University of Maine, where he was president of his fraternity (Tau Epsilon Phi) and a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Arnold moved to Bridgeport, CT where he married Bobby Rapoport on July 7, 1940. They have been married for 73 years. They raised their two daughters, Susan and Ellen, in a loving household. Arnold was very proud of his career in the insurance business, and was active in local and state associations. He was a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Certified Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). At age 80 Arnold received a Masters Degree in Financial Services from American University in Bryn Mawr, PA. His interest in finance and investment stayed with him throughout the years. A leader in the Bridgeport Jewish community, Arnold was Treasurer of the Bridgeport (CT) JCC during the construction of the "new JCC" at its Park Avenue location. Arnold chaired the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign during the 1973 War in Israel. He is an active member of Congregation B'nai Israel, where he served on the board for many years and was president for two. He was a regular participant in the Saturday morning 8 a.m. service, enjoying the prayers and songs and breakfast that followed. He also belonged to Temple Israel in West Palm Beach, FL. Along with his wife Bobby, Arnold enjoyed travelling. Some of the places they visited together included China, India, Turkey, Greece, as well as wonderful tours of this country, especially enjoying the National Parks. Arnold and Bobby were members of Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton, CT and of The Fountains in Florida. They were regular subscribers at the Kravis Center in W. Palm Beach, and enjoyed attending performances there each winter. Arnold was a voracious reader, enjoying both fiction and nonfiction. He was very interested in politics and he was a real liberal! He was actively involved in the issues of the environment, population control, women in politics, women's reproductive rights and health issues. Arnold played tennis up to the age of 90 and continued his three-mile walks on the days he didn't have a doubles game lined up. Arnold was very proud of teaching Mature Drivers classes for AARP up to age 95. His students always enjoyed his classes, especially the jokes he told about getting older. He was an arbitrator for SIPC (later FINRA), and shared his wisdom and judgment with others. Arnold loved his family. He and Bobby started with just two daughters, Susan Bauchner of Warren, VT., Ellen and Allan Gittleman of E. Greenwich, RI and Scottsdale, AZ., who gave them four grandchildren and now, nine great grandchildren. He loved to be with them, and they always enjoyed being with Arnold. Arnold is also survived by his Brother George Kaplan (and Shirley) of Brookline, MA. He had a sweet nature and a gently way. Arnold and Bobby lived in Southport, CT and in Palm Beach, FL for over 30 years. In 2010 they moved to Scottsdale AZ to live in an Assisted Living community near family. Services will take place on Tuesday September 3, 2013 at 11:00 AM from Congregation B'nai Israel 2710 Park Avenue in Bridgeport, with interment following at B'nai Israel Cemetery in Fairfield. Donations in his memory may be made to Congregation B'nai Israel (Bridgeport, CT), Hospice of the Valley www.hov.org (Phoenix, AZ), Planned Parenthood and ACLU. The Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements. (www.greensfuneralhome.com)