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Deceased Information

DECEASED: Hon. Arthur Kaplan
DATE OF DEATH: Friday, January 1, 2010 (before sunset) 15 Tevet, 5770
DATE OF FUNERAL: Sunday, January 3, 2010
TIME OF FUNERAL: 3:00 PM
PLACE OF FUNERAL: GRAVESIDE
PLACE OF BURIAL: Arlington Memorial Park
SHIVA INFORMATION: Sunday through Friday at the home of Hon. Arthur and Frances Kaplan.

Please contact Dresslers at 770-451-4999 to send a message to the family.

OBITUARY:

GUESTBOOK

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The Dressler Family

May the memories of our loved ones remain for a blessing.

Ofc Robert A. Evans, III

Jan 4 2010 11:03 am

Judge Kaplan will always be revered by myself and thousands of other Dekalb County Police Officers as THE Emergency Medicine teacher. I also had occasion to bring individuals before him in Atlanta Municipal Court, and he was always just and fair. He would also make himself available for any question you might have about the law. He is truly missed by all of us, and the community has lost a true champion of those in need. My heartfelt condolences to the Kaplan family. Ofc. Robert A. Evans, III University of Kansas Police Dept. Kansas City, Kansas.

Sally Lawrence Davis

Jan 3 2010 09:13 pm

My deepest sympathy to the entire Kaplan family. I taught you, Debra and Shelley, at Briarcliff and remember your father so well. He taught the teachers CPR and was such a vibrant, dynamic man. I have thought of him so many times over the years.

Amy Gardner

Jan 3 2010 06:35 pm

I am sorry to hear of your loss. I did get to meet him a few times. I have heard stories of my dad getting to ride with him a few times.

Melanie King

Jan 3 2010 02:18 pm

A memory from the past! I remember Judge Kaplan well, but did not know him personally. I was in college at Georgia State University and worked part time at the Dept. of Human Resources across from the old Sears building. My supervisor would "ride" with Judge Kaplan to all kinds of night emergency calls, sometimes getting there before the ambulance. He was often the first responder, and there was a phrase used to describe this that I cannot remember. But I do remember how impressed I was that a man that had arrived to the lofty position of judge was still volunteering his time to help others in this risky and sometimes dangerous way. I've never forgotten, and was saddened to read of his passing. My sincere sympathies to his family ... I'm sure you are so proud to have been related to such a fine man. The legacy he leaves in Atlanta will remain forever.

Alberto and Cheryl Montes

Jan 3 2010 12:41 pm

Judge Kaplan married us a couple years back on the 4th of July, AFTER the Peachtree Road Race. The day was hot and unfortuantely his T-shirt got stuck to his body because of the persperation. Judge Kaplan told us later that he had to cut it off because he could not figure out any other way. (A relpacement is in the mail.) He was a very gracious, generous and thoughtful man and a great friend of the FBI. We count ourselves lucky to have had him marry usand to have known him. Thank you for sharing him.

Bill Lally

Jan 3 2010 01:36 am

Arthur M. Kaplan - Truely a remarkable man who made a difference in the community he served. I had the honor and distinct pleasure of knowing and working with this incredible man in the 1970's and 80's as a member of the APD Rescue Squad. His enthusiasm and passion for helping others was unparalleled. Rarely as we go through life, do we have a chance to know someone who is such an inspiration to others. To all of the Kaplan family, friends and associates, I will be in Georgia this afternoon in spirit when His Honor is laid to his well deserved rest. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you in this time of sorrow.

Peter, Donna and Sarah Gwyn

Jan 2 2010 08:07 pm

Debra, Nelson, Allison and Evan, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Debra, your father was an amazing person. May you and your family be comforted by the fact that your father touched so many lives in such a profound way.

Helen Goldman Alperin

Jan 2 2010 07:56 pm

Frances. So sorry to hear of your loss. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.

James P. Comento

Jan 2 2010 06:53 pm

I’d like to take a few minutes to tell you how Judge Arthur Kaplan and his years of volunteer service affected my life and the lives of countless others. I first met Judge Kaplan in the early seventies when I was a member of Metro Atlanta Alert, a group of volunteers operating off Citizen’s Band Radios and authorized by the city and county police departments to patrol the streets and highways of Atlanta providing assistance to stranded motorists and traffic control at accident scenes. This was the precursor to today’s HERO program. While out on “patrol” I would frequently see Judge Kaplan providing first aid to injured motorists. On Christmas Eve 1974 I came upon an accident involving a nineteen-year-old girl and her boyfriend. Because, at that time, I had no medical training I watched helplessly as the two teens died of traumatic shock during a 45-minute wait for an ambulance. If only someone had known what to do perhaps they would still be alive today. I was devastated by this turn of events. I decided then and there that I would get every bit of Emergency Medical Training I could, and follow in the footsteps of Judge Kaplan so that never again would someone have to die in front of me while waiting for assistance. I took an Advanced First Aid Course, quickly followed by an E.M.T. course. Within two years I graduated from Dekalb College with a degree in Advanced Emergency Medical Technology, now called Paramedic Technology. From there I went on to become a state certified E.M.S. Instructor. While working full time as a Paramedic, I continued my volunteer street patrols like my “mentor”, Judge Kaplan. I purchased every piece of emergency equipment I could find so that I would be prepared for any emergency during my street patrols. They say, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” While I did my best to be my best, and follow in Judge Kaplan’s footsteps over the years, I could never hope to rise to his level. I was able to ride with Judge Kaplan several times as well as with the Police Rescue Units before the city moved those duties to the fire department. Eventually, I found myself serving as an adjunct E.M.S. Instructor for the Atlanta Fire Department and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department’s Reserve Rescue Program. During the years I continued my “Rescue” activities as an authorized volunteer Paramedic through the Atlanta Fire Department until my own health problems caused me to cut back on my volunteer activities. During my time as an E.M.S. Instructor at a local E.M.T. School I was privileged to introduce my “mentor”, Judge Arthur Kaplan to my students. Through his stories, he used his knowledge to teach them how to think and improvise in emergency situations. Meanwhile, I sat at the back of the room watching him teach my students and smiled, knowing that I had come full circle. In the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” James Stewart is standing at the cemetery talking to his guardian angel. He mentions how his brother saved the lives of every soldier during an attack on a military transport. The angel responds, “Every man on that transport died. Harry wasn’t there to save them because you weren’t there to save Harry!” If Judge Kaplan had not inspired me to pursue E.M.S. as a career and as a volunteer I wonder how many people would have died or suffered from their injuries because I was not there to help them. If not for Judge Kaplan, would I have become an E.M.S. Instructor and taught so many others how to save lives? Multiply this by the number of other people that Judge Kaplan treated, inspired or taught directly over the years. How many lives saved? How many courses taught? How many medics to carry on his legacy? His own son is a Doctor, helping and saving countless more lives. The numbers are exponential and they are staggering. Police Officers, Paramedics, E.M.S. Instructors, Secret Service and F.B.I. agents all using and passing on the skills that they learned from Judge Arthur Kaplan. I offer my sincerest condolences to his family. May you have peace in knowing that “the Judge” must surely be looking down smiling upon us all as we carry on his legacy. He was truly a great man. Jim Comento, E.M.S. Instructor, Paramedic 3125 Towerview Dr. N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324 (404)-233-3679

Tami Mize

Jan 2 2010 03:50 pm

He is the Reason I became an E.M.T. Thank you for the time you sacrificed with him so he could be with us. He truly was the Greatest Man I've ever known.

Noal Solomon

Jan 2 2010 03:32 pm

The Greatness of Judge Arthur M. Kaplan The Atlanta area has lost one of its greatest volunteers and heroes. His volunteer endeavors to the community were unparalled. It didn’t matter who you were or what your background was – if you needed help, Judge Kaplan was there. Sure he met numerous presidents and world leaders and he was recognized with many honors and awards, but anything he did was to be there for others. As an attorney, his street-smarts and brillant legal mind helped his clients. As a judge, he brought honor and compassion to the bench. As a teacher and mentor, he set a wonderful example. As someone on the scene of an emergency, his talent and experience saved the lives of many people. As a former law clerk to the judge in '77-78, I was able to quickly see how much he loved people, to help them, and to serve his community, state and country.....and people (who were previously strangers) loved him too. While it would be truly remarkable to save so many lives if someone was paid, what made Judge Kaplan extraordinarily is he did this as a volunteer. Many Americans can’t find just a few hours a month to volunteer, to Judge Kaplan a few hours of volunteering daily (seven days a week) was a bare minimum and many shifts (particularly weekends) lasted a lot longer. His devotion was so great that “vacation” wasn’t part of his vocabulary. Judge Kaplan has been incredibly special and generous to so many in numerous ways. He was a wonderful friend, who could listen to others, to bring the best out of people and to give them comfort and strength. He could be fun as well and enjoyed a Varsity hot dog and FO with someone he knew! He also made people feel special and good about themselves. His terrific wife, children and grandchildren were gracious in sharing the judge with others. They knew the passion he had to help others. I, like countless others, have a love for Judge Kaplan and will always cherish the fond memories. He helped so many of us become better people and to be enriched by his friendship. As the late Senator Ted Kennedy said about his brother Bobby, Arthur Kaplan need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life. He was a good and decent man, who was able to achieve greatness in his pursuit of helping others. Judge Kaplan was a wonderful American who should always be blessed. ~ Noal Solomon, Wayne, NJ

I. H. (Q'Ball) Quattlebaum

Jan 2 2010 01:16 pm

So sorry for your loss Arthur will be missed by so many of the Law Enforce Officers he has touched thru the years. My prayers are with you all.

JoAlice Patterson Welton

Jan 2 2010 01:11 pm

Dear Debra, Nelson, Allison, and Evan, and the Kaplan family, We extend to you our heartfelt condolences over the passing of Judge Kaplan. He was such an outgoing and caring man of all individuals, as well as an honorable and respected attorney and Judge. He served his fellow man and this country he cherish so much with honor and pride. He shall be very fondly remembered, and his giving spirit shall live on forever. May you and the family find comfort and peace in your memories of him at this sad time. With sincere sympathy and friendship, Steve, JoAlice, and Patrick Welton, and Judge William J. ("Joe") Patterson, Jr.

Berlyn Compton, Captain Retired Atlanta Police De

Jan 2 2010 12:37 pm

Authur was the Hero of Heros and will always be remembered as the man who gave himself to all men, wimen and childred. He lived the finest example for all to follow. Thanks for sharing him.

Kitty Glickman

Jan 2 2010 12:35 pm

Shelley, So sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. My love & thoughts are with you and your family. Kitty

Bernie and carolyn Wasserman

Jan 2 2010 10:49 am

Frances, Our sympathies to you and your family. It was an honor and pleasure to know Arthur.He served his country and communtiy with distiction. Bernie and Carolyn Wasserman

Barbara and Leonard Bock

Jan 2 2010 10:49 am

We have fond memories going back to Briarcliff Road and before that Capitol Avenue. Thinking of you.

Bob Turner

Jan 2 2010 09:31 am

Frances: I was so sorry to hear of Judge Kaplan's passing, and all the wonderful things he has done over the years. May your many memories comfort you at this time. You may or may not remember me, but I worked at H & R Block, Tuxedo Festival, and spoke with you often. Bob Turner

Colonel(R) Jack Peevy

Jan 2 2010 09:15 am

He was my instructor in life saving and drown proofing. Some people don't leave a mark on this Earth and never pay dues. Judge Kaplan did.

John H.Stine

Jan 2 2010 08:25 am

Friendship with our dear Judge Arthur Kaplan began decades ago, as it did for many from the Grady Ambulance & ER,Police Rescue,APD,firefighters, nursing and EMT students plus innumerable others. He was an outgoing, wonderful man who was never afraid to risk his own life, on his own time to save others. He accomplished this and we will all miss him greatly. John Stine

Leon K. Tant

Jan 2 2010 07:38 am

I retired from EMS 10 years ago.I became an EMT in 1973 about the time when "The Judge"was appointed to the Atlanta Municipal Court by then Mayor Sam Massell.I worked for Grady Hospital as EMT/Driver/Maintenance Rep/ in late 1978 to 1984.I once rode with Judge Kaplan on invitation through the streets of Atlanta to assist him if needed and I must say it was an experience.He will be greatly missed.

Cheryle Bowman-Bowman

Jan 2 2010 07:28 am

I did not know Judge Kaplan personally, but I knew of him for over 30 years. I was a student at Walker High where Debbie Kaplan taught in 1979. She was an exceptional teacher and friend. I learned of him from her and my mother. My mother had told me about this awesome Judge that helps with Rescues and then I would see him in the news for on TV. What an extraordinary person/servant he was. I know that he will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

James T. Miller, DKPD (ret)

Jan 2 2010 07:22 am

Arthur was a good friend. He taught my first class in first aid as a young officer with DeKalb County in the late '60s and we stood side-by-side in the shoot-out which left Officer Horace Deaver badly wounded in the '70s. He was one of the first to call when I was promoted to Assistant Chief in 1990. I will miss him.

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