Richard D. Kaplan
In Remembrance
May 11, 1933 – January 21, 2016
Richard D. Kaplan of New York and Palm Beach died on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, after a brief illness. He was 82.
Mr. Kaplan was an architect and senior trustee of the J.M. Kaplan Fund, a private New York-based foundation noted for its commitment to pioneering projects in urban affairs and the environment. He was a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Graduate School of Design.
Other architectural projects he designed include the American Place Theater and Chatham Towers, an innovative landmarked apartment building.
In 1994, Richard Kaplan founded Heritage Trails, New York, a nonprofit organization to increase public awareness of downtown New York and the history, architecture and attractions of Lower Manhattan. He served on the board of the Skyscraper Museum, the Forum for Urban Design and the Regional Plan Association.
Mr. Kaplan received the City Club of New York’s Albert S. Bard Award for Merit in Civic Architecture and Urban Design and the George S. Lewis Award from the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
He invented “RickoShay” (an original version of the game of Bocce), which he played with verve and vigor at his Palm Beach home.
Richard is survived by his sisters: Joan K. Davidson, Elizabeth K. Fonseca. Mary Kaplan; his stepsons Mark P. Dixon and Hugo D. Dixon and step-granddaughter, Atalandi M. Dixon.
Mr. Kaplan is also survived by his wife of 30 years, sculptor Edwina Sandys.