Aubrey G. Caplan

CAPLAN AUBREY G.
Age 85 of Pittsburgh, PA; Was the son of the late Samuel & Pauline Caplan. He is survived by his wife Evelyn Wolk Caplan, children: Robert B. Caplan, P.E. (Svetlana) and Linda Caplan Raden, brother Lee Nathan Caplan (Kathleen), and three granddaughters: Jill Goetz(Adam), Stephanie Ames(Michael), and Debra Raden. Aubrey was a graduate of Carnegie Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1944. He began his career in 1946 as a Power Sales Engineer for the Duquesne Light Company. He helped pioneer the use of electric heat in commercial buildings and was personally responsible for the first all electrically heated school in Western Pennsylvania. In 1959 he started his own business as a Consulting Electrical Engineer. Later, the firm was renamed Caplan Engineering Company. Aubrey was a long-time member and past President of the Greater Pittsburgh chapter of the American Consulting Engineers Council. He was also an active member of the Illuminating Engineers Society and won numerous annual illumination awards for commercial lighting competitions. During his career, he designed more than four thousand projects in all categories of Residential, Commercial, and Industrial buildings. Exceptional projects included: Many buildings for the Pittsburgh Board of Education and Community College of Allegheny County. The University of Pittsburgh Student Union Building, the University of Pittsburgh Biotechnology Center, and the School for Blind Children addition. Many local temples and Squirrel Hill landmarks, including: Tree of Life, Beth Shalom, Temple Sinai, Rodef Shalom remodeling, and the Jewish Community Centers. Dozens of apartment houses for HUD, PHFA, and for the Pittsburgh Housing Authority, as well as many private apartment buildings including 5000 Fifth Avenue Apartments, Highland Apartments, Forward Shady Apartments, Fox Chapel Mews, and Maxon Towers. The first shopping mall in Pittsburgh (Miracle Mile), as well as Monroeville Mall, South Hills Village Mall, Village Square Mall, Indiana Mall, and Station Square. Aubrey was a consultant and a design engineer for many developers and institutions including Kossman Development Co., Crown Construction Co., Dollar Bank, Franklin Federal Bank, Mellon Bank, Laurel Development Co., L & D Building Co., Riverside Markets, Federated Investors, Pittsburgh History & Landmarks, Kaufmann's and Horne's Department Stores, Sears, JC Penney's, K-Mart, US Bureau of Mines, The Pittsburgh Parking Authority, and others. In 1975 he was especially honored by the national publication "Electrical Construction & Maintenance" with a cover picture and feature article about "Design Engineers". Aubrey was a Veteran of World War II, a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Consistory and the Shriners, past president of Fraternity Lodge #705, and a member of the Tree of Life Synagogue for more than fifty years. Aubrey was very fortunate to have "loved his work", was proud of his creative and accurate designs, and was a friend to all of his clients. His clients were always proud to have him as part of their design team. "Old Time" contractors fondly called his office the "Caplan Electrical School of Design". Funeral arrangements will be private. The family suggests that contributions be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements entrusted to RALPH SCHUGAR CHAPEL, INC. (412-621-8282).
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