Robert I Kaplan's Obituary
Robert I Kaplan, born March 3, 1927 in new London, CT, was the son of Ben and Lena Kaplan. He passed away June 5, 2019 at the age of 92. Bob, as he was lovingly known, is survived by his wife of nearly 69 years, Audrey Kaplan, his son John (Colleen), daughter Lynn Kulzak (Ton), granddaughters Hannah Kaplan Risbridger (Mark), Brenna Kaplan, step-granddaughter Sara Kulzak, and great-granddaughters, Leila and Kaitlin, besides several nieces, nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews. He was predeceased by his t\wo older sisters, Selma Glass and Rosanna Roochnik.
As at young man, Bob was in a band with fellow New London boys, called “The Four Kays”. He maintained some lifelong friendships with “The Buckley Boys”, with whom he attended Buckley School, in New London, CT. Bob attended Boston University’s College of Business Administration and bravely served our country in the US Army during and following the end of World War II. He was honorably discharged from Ft. Sam Houston in 1946. In 1950, Bob married Audrey Fleischner, from Bristol, CT.
After the army, he began his career as an assistant manager of his father’s hardware store. Bob then moved onto a lengthy sales and management career with CIGNA (formerly Connecticut General Life Insurance Company). While living in Connecticut Bob was active with the Oak Hill School for the Blind, a cause close to his heart having a father who was legally blind later in life, and suffering himself with low vision. While at CIGNA, he became involved in community theatre, and found he was often typecast as the Jewish or Italian father, often nicknamed “Lou Grant”, as he resembled the character actor Ed Asner.
He retired from CIGNA as a Director of Field Sales Training of the Group Pension Division with a CLU designation in 1987. It was then that he and Audrey found their way to South Florida, as many northerners do. Bob enjoyed golf for much of his adult life, as well as entertaining, travelling, telling “dirty” jokes, and drinking a good Scotch and water. He also enjoyed watching NCAA basketball (particularly the UConn Huskies, since both Lynn and John attended UCONN), besides his Miami Heat, who he developed a fondness for when a former UConn player joined the team while living in South Florida.
Bob lived a wonderful and long life, instilled good values and a work ethic in his children, took care of his wife and family, and will always be remembered with fondness and love by everyone.
Some Bob-isms we’ll always remember…
“Be a good kid, would you……” (when he wanted you to do something)
“While you’re up…” (when you were sitting down and he needed something)
“Ah….whaddya want to do that for?” (when he disagreed with something)
“That’s a real oysnam” (meaning it’s a real treat in Yiddish – when he was eating something he loved – like tongue sandwiches.)
What’s your fondest memory of Robert?
What’s a lesson you learned from Robert?
Share a story where Robert's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Robert you’ll never forget.
How did Robert make you smile?