Harold Paul Kaplan

1939 - 2023

Harold Paul Kaplan
08/01/2023
Dr. Harold Paul Kaplan passed away on Tuesday, August 1st, following a brief illness. Harold was born in New York City on January 22nd, 1939, the youngest child of David and Sophie Kaplan. Known as Hal by his friends and family, he leaves behind a loving wife (Barbara) and several children: Todd (and wife Maryjo), Jon (and wife Dawn), Robin (and husband Amin), and Scott. He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren.
Hal graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in 1955, Tufts University in 1959, and the Yale School of Medicine in 1963. His academic climb was interrupted only by his marriage to Barbara in March of 1962. He spent 2 years as an Air Force Officer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, during which he also worked with the fledgling space program at NASA. Hal then moved to Connecticut to establish a medical practice in Meriden with 3 colleagues.
Hal had several passions outside of medicine. He and Barbara were advocates of public education and founded the North Haven PTA in the early 1970s. When all of his children became competitive swimmers, Hal volunteered as a swimming official. Over the years, he officiated hundreds of meets at the junior, high school, and collegiate levels, and trained other officials around the state. He was a longtime member of the Farms Country Club and spent 3 years on their Board of Governors. Hal was also an avid collector of antique clocks, and leaves behind a large collection.
After retiring from private practice, Hal served in several roles at Midstate Medical Center, including Chief of Staff. After retiring (again) from Midstate, he then served in several key roles at the new Quinnipiac Medical School, including developing the curriculum, teaching courses, and interviewing applicants. In 2021, at the age of 82, he took his third and final retirement.
Hal's most pervasive and defining characteristics were his selflessness, caring, and generosity. He was always the first person whom family and friends would call when there was a problem or concern, medical or otherwise. Not once did he put himself first; he always focused on what others wanted or needed. His support, kindness, and guidance were most evident with his family: he should be rightly remembered as someone deeply dedicated to his wife, children, and grandchildren, whom he cherished. He will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Quinnipiac Medical School scholarship fund that has been set up in his name:
The Harold Kaplan MD Endowed Scholarship Fund
Office of development and alumni affairs AH-DVP
Quinnipiac University, 275 Mount Carmel Avenue, Hamden CT 06518.
A memorial for Hal will be held on August 23, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., at The Farms Country Club in Wallingford.