Howard Kaplan
WELLINGTON - Howard “Howie” Kaplan, 90, of Wellington, Florida, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2024. Born in the Bronx, New York, he was a man of warmth, wisdom, kindness, and creativity. He was cherished as a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather, affectionately known as PopPop.
Howie journeyed through life with his high school sweetheart, Beth, to whom he was married for 69 years. He graduated from Rutgers University through the ROTC program, forming lifelong friendships with his brothers of Tau Delta Phi Fraternity, and then served in the Army. He and Beth raised their family in Springfield, New Jersey.
Howie’s ability to communicate through writing, which began in high school and continued through college, led to a distinguished lifelong career in the magazine publishing industry. He held senior positions at Time, Fortune, and Inc., often expressing gratitude for a stimulating career that took him around the world, doing what he loved. He enjoyed classical music, especially summer concerts at Tanglewood, and served on the board of the New Jersey Philharmonic.
Among his greatest pleasures were summers spent at his cottage in Butternut Bay in the Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence River. There, he created memorable times boating, fishing, and sitting on the dock with his family and close Canadian friends. On any given Sunday, Howie could be found reading the New York Times cover to cover. He also enjoyed photography, birdwatching, and golf.
A man of great humility, wisdom, gentleness, and character, Howie was a valued mentor, editor, and advisor not only to his colleagues but also to friends and family members. Given his own working-class roots, he always made a point to recognize workers often overlooked by others.
Known by family and friends throughout his life for his sharp wit, Howie possessed an amazingly quick sense of humor, often expressed with perfect timing and tone, bringing joy and laughter wherever he went, even in his final years. He instilled in all of his family members the importance of humor in life.
Howie is survived by his wife Beth, brother Lester (Fran), children Andrew Kaplan and Ellen Singer (Michael), and grandchildren Abby, Adrienne, Dylan, and Scott.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Howie by uplifting someone with an act of kindness or making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or Wycliffe Charities Foundation, 4650 Wycliffe Country Club Blvd, Wellington, FL 33449