Harvey Lawrence Kaplan

Harvey Lawrence Kaplan, passed away on July 10th in Edina, Minnesota. Harvey was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on January 26, 1928. He grew up on the West Side of St. Paul, speaking Yiddish in the home. He was the son of Jacob and Rose, who both left their Eastern European shtetls for a better life in the United States. Harvey came of age during the depression. He was drafted, along with his twin brother, Martin, to serve in World War II. His army service entitled him to free education, something he could not have otherwise afforded. Harvey attended the University of Minnesota, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in history. He briefly taught history to high school students in Stillwater, Minnesota, a job he loved. He then returned to the University of Minnesota, where he received his Masters of Social Work.
Harvey worked as a psychiatric social worker for the University of Minnesota Hospital, and subsequently, for Hennepin County in Child Protection, leading their Education and Training department. In addition, Harvey worked as an adjunct professor for the University of Minnesota School of Social Work. He also supported multiple Jewish charities, including serving as Board Chair of the Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS). Harvey is remembered by his family as someone who had tremendous optimism, humor, strength, and a sense of adventure. His knowledge was encyclopedic. He was a voracious reader, especially of history and politics. He modeled Jewish values and ethics. He was a strong supporter of Israel, where he traveled many times throughout his lifetime. He was also self-taught, becoming a savvy and successful investor in the stock market as his second career. But his most important role by far was as the anchor of his family. He rarely missed an occasion to be with loved ones. Harvey is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marjorie; his brother and sister-in-law, Martin and Judy Kaplan; his children Ross (Laura), Rachel (Bob), Leah (Jon) and Helen; and his seven grandchildren: Jordan, Gabriel, Johanna, Jacob, Ben, Livia and Julia. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Julie Kaplan, and his sisters, Milly Rein and Alice Simes. The funeral service will be held graveside 1pm on Tuesday, July 12, at Beth El Memorial Park, 3726 Winnetka Avenue North, Crystal, Minnesota 55427. Funeral service will also be available via zoom. Guests who attend the service in-person are respectfully requested to wear masks and to practice social distancing. Zoom Shiva will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Email zoom2@hodroffepstein.com for the link for the funeral and Shiva services.

Charitable donations can be made to the Minneapolis Jewish Federation. No flowers, please.