KENNETH KAPLAN

1937 - 2021

KAPLAN DR. Kenneth L. Kaplan On January 15, 2021, Kenneth Lawrence Kaplan, MD, died peacefully in the comfort of his home of 3 years in McLean, Virginia. Throughout his illness he received numerous messages of comfort and love from his adult sons, Ian and Andrew, other relatives, friends, colleagues and former patients. Dr. Kaplan was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 28, 1937, the elder of two children. His parents, Dorothy and Morris Kaplan and his sister, Janet predeceased him by a number of years. A gifted student, he left high school early at age 16, to attend a college program from which he later entered the University of Chicago. In this way, Dr. Kaplan began a cherished journey into the world of medicine that would result in a 58-year career as a psychiatrist; guiding children, their parents, entire families and individual adults, supporting healing and positive changes in their lives. Dr. Kaplan's work was epitomized by his deep expertise, caring for and rapport with children and adolescents. After his studies at the University of Chicago and abroad at Oxford University, Dr. Kaplan graduated from the University of Chicago Division of Biological Sciences Pritzker School of Medicine in 1962. Subsequently, Dr. Kaplan completed an internship at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago and residencies in Adult and Child Psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. From Chicago, he entered the United States Public Health Service where he practiced for two years from a Washington, DC -based clinic. Throughout his career, Dr. Kaplan maintained an active private practice in McLean, Virginia. With great care for future generations, Dr. Kaplan also taught and supervised young physicians, social workers and nurses in a variety of settings, as well as providing knowledge and support to his peers. Among the institutions in which he taught were the Child Guidance Center - precursor to the current Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children and the Psychiatric Institute of Washington and Children's National Hospital. Alongside practicing and teaching psychiatry, Dr. Kaplan served as an expert psychiatric witness in court cases. With irrepressible curiosity and an unquenchable interest in the world around him, Dr. Kaplan spent whatever time he could take from his practice on the loves alongside family, friends and medicine in his life - travel, music and art. He generously shared his vast knowledge and experience with family and friends. A cruise, a hike in an exotic local, an opera, a play...those who joined him came away expanded. Dr. Kaplan's beloved wife and colleague, Jean S. Gold, sadly passed away more than a year ago. He is survived by his adult children, Ian Stuart Kaplan and Andrew David Kaplan; two stepdaughters, Emily Boutilier (Robert Boutilier) and Rebekka Gold; three grandchildren; Cole Alexander Kaplan, Lane Olivia Kaplan and Samantha Boutilier, and a niece, Dana Kaplan-Angle. A virtual service for Dr. Kaplan was held on January 18, 2021, with family and many friends in attendance. A virtual service for Dr. Kaplan was held on January 18, 2021, with family and many friends in attendance.