DAVID CAPLAN

CAPLAN--David R.

David R. Caplan, 90, died at home December 10, 2015. David was born on March 11, 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri, son of Ralph Caplan and Helene Lowenstein Caplan. He was the beloved husband of Barbara Rudolph Caplan for 63 years and the father of Nancy, Amy, David Jr., Patty and Tom Caplan. He is also survived by his sons-in-law Geoffrey Lewis and Jonathan Simonoff, and grandchildren Samantha and Jessica Lewis, Danny and Sarah Caplan, and Emma and Jason Simonoff. He leaves behind his dear sister Shirley and her children Richard Nathan, Jill Hyman and Beth Russ and nieces Diane Caplan, Kathy Peck, and nephew John Caplan. David grew up in Peoria, Illinois. He became an avid tennis player, which remained one of his lifetime passions. He was a permanent fixture at the U.S. Open tennis championship in New York City. He served proudly in the US Navy during World War II, becoming a Lieutenant on the aircraft carrier USS Kadashan Bay. He attended Notre Dame University and Washington University in St. Louis. David worked for over 50 years in the textile and apparel industries. He began his career as a textile converter and went on to run Concord Fabrics, Evan Picone Sportwear, and HeadSport. David was honored three times as the Textile Man of the Year. He founded Metro Fabrics in 1985 and remained at the helm until selling the company in 2002. At this point, he launched full time into a career in public service. David loved children and believed passionately in public education and service. That passion brought him first to PENCIL (Public Education Needs Civic Involvement in Learning) where he served as a volunteer advisor to leadership. He then devoted his passion full time to City Year New York. David served on the Board and assumed the position of Dean. His work at CYNY spanned over 16 years. He was fundraiser extraordinaire, strategic advisor, ambassador, planner, mentor, and recruiter. He also had boots on the ground, visiting schools all over New York City, providing inspiration to members of the Corps, students, teachers and principals. David's other driving passion was his beloved WNYC, New York Public Radio where he served on the Board for over 25 years. Over the years, David played many other philanthropic roles including board member of the Fashion Institute of Technology, the March of Dimes, and the American Friends of Tel Aviv University. Donations in his honor can be made to City Year New York and WNYC/New York Public Radio.