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16023 Kaplan, Robert Edward
April 24, 1925 - February 18, 1992

usma1946-F2

 

 MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Mar '94

Robert Edward Kaplan No. 16023 Class of 1946
Died 18 February 1992 in New York, New York, aged 66 years. Interment: West Point Cemetery, West Point, New York.

The son of Charles and Pauline Kaplan, Robert Edward (Bob) Kaplan was born on 24 April 1925 in New York City. His father was vice-president of Shirtcraft Company, one of the largest US shirt manufacturers. Bob's high school years were spent at the Loomis School in Windsor, Connecticut, where he nurtured his interests in the classics. Bob had been accepted at Yale, but, with World War II at its height, he decided that he wanted to enlist in the Army. His father's desire that Bob go to West Point was a key factor in changing his life's direction, as was a meeting in early 1943 with Senator Harry Truman in a Baltimore hotel lobby. The Missouri senator felt Bob should attend West Point, and Bob agreed. Bob joined the Class of l946 on 1 July1943.

Bob's personality and ability to rise above the petty things in life made cadet life bearable if not enjoyable. He easily swept through the military part of being a cadet. The academic curriculum was another story. The heavy math and science orientation was hardly in consonance with his humanities background. His determination to succeed carried him through all the academic hurdles. He was a member of the Camera Club and honed the skills that were to be a lifetime avocation and the source of much pleasure. He pinned on the bars of a second lieutenant in the Infantry at graduation.

A close friend from F-2 Company, Charles F. McCarty, recalled some of his fond remembrances of Bob Kaplan: "When Bob Kaplan smiled, it warmed me all over, regardless of the time, place or circumstance. I met Bob for the first time after a particularly harassing Beast Barracks formation in July 1943. After leading me to the relative security of his room, Bob smiled and the memory of the ordeal vanished. From then on, this balanced, cheerful approach to the ups and downs of life was a hallmark of our relationship as cadets, as student officers and as platoon and company commanders serving from 1947-49 at the 'Last Outpost,' the 6th Infantry Division in Korea.

"Bob's upbeat manner carried us through almost a year at the Infantry School. In the spring of 1947, we drew our first troop assignments in order of our West Point class standing. Our low class standing sent us to South Korea, at the end of the Army's supply line to the Far East. In January 1949, the occupation of Korea ended and U.S. troops were withdrawn. I made up my mind to continue my career in the Army, but Bob decided to pursue a successful career in the textile industry. Although the process of maturing and raising our families in vastly different environments changed our lives considerably from our introduction in 1943, Bob Kaplan's influence was an important factor in my subsequent development for the better."

Just before Bob left active duty, he married Roberta Wennik, a beautiful and talented student of voice and piano, in New York City on 22 May 1949. Bob entered civilian life as an executive in his father's company. He later became vice president, Women's Apparel, Oxford Industries. J. Hicks Lanier, currently chairman and president, recalled: "I had the pleasure of knowing Bob Kaplan for 27 years. He certainly enriched my life during that period, and I have many fond memories of him. I first met Bob in 1965: he was my boss and my mentor. My recollections of Bob as a businessman are of a person with boundless energy who was well organized and planful. He was an extremely creative person, a strong leader and his enthusiasm was contagious. But most of all, I remember Bob as a great salesman. He could sell his ideas or his products in any setting because he was charming, witty, intelligent, persistent and aggressive. His integrity was beyond reproach, and he developed a rock-solid reputation based on the highest values."

Knowlton J. O'Reilly of Oxford Industries remembered: "Bob was instrumental in training me when I joined Oxford in 1965. I developed a deep affection and respect for Bob. His integrity, organizational skills, ability to make clear, concise and convincing presentations, his pride in what he did, and his terrific sense of humor impressed me very much. Bob also had a deep interest and perspective on the world outside the apparel industry. He followed world and national events with a keen critical eye and was a stimulating conversationalist on many subjects. Bob left Oxford in 1971 to form his own business, Complex Industries, Inc., also a producer of women's apparel. Our friendship endured despite the fact that we were now competitors.

"Bob was forceful and had the courage of his convictions without being opinionated. I recall in 1968 our national road sales force disagreed with the direction Bob was taking. Bob stood his ground and, while giving the men their day in court, did not yield for he believed his direction was correct. At the next sales meeting, Bob's position had proved correct and the men banded together to present Bob a plaque featuring the West Point crest. They were communicating their respect for Bob in a way they knew would mean a great deal to him personally. During 1991, Bob and I had many conversations about combining our companies. All the while he kept his battle with cancer a secret. We did, in fact, agree to combine the businesses, and we both looked forward to working together again. Regrettably, this was not to be as he died a month later. Bob was deeply revered by his employees at Complex Industries."

Julia Kramer was Bob's comptroller and later became treasurer of the company. She recalled: "Bob was an unusual employer. Everyone was treated as part of his family. During illnesses in one's family or pleasures, his interest was loving and warm. He was compassionate, caring in every way. In his industry, he was referred to as the 'General' because he never stopped telling everyone about his days at West Point. He loved West Point as much as he loved his family and business. In 1981, eight women in the garment industry started a charity called Committee Concerned for Children. Bob helped us get it started. Today the charity is a strong organization and raises $500,000 a year."

Bob Kaplan died of leukemia 18 February 1992 in New York City. He is survived by his wife Roberta Wennik-Kaplan--a Ph.D. with a private practice in psychoanalytic psychotherapy; three sons, James, Peter and Robert, all professionals working in print and television; and five grandchildren.

Bob lived his life to the fullest. He loved his work, his family and his life with them. He loved to putter in his garden, take candid portraits of his family, attend the theater and the symphony, read good books and take his family to West Point football games. Bob was a proud son of West Point. He carried the motto, Duty, Honor, Country, into every aspect of his life.

Bob's friend and classmate, Charles F. McCarty said, "Bob Kaplan's influence can be summed up by paraphrasing an insightful comment from Norman McLean: "Eventually, all things merge into one, and some constant values run through it." The constants I remember most vividly about Bob Kaplan are his sensitivity, his appreciation of the chivalrous, romantic side of military life, his loyalty to his friends, his respect for the West Point Ideal and that his special smile had lost none of its very special warming power."

The Class of 1946 is proud to join his family and friends in proclaiming, "Well Done, Bob; Be Thou At Peace!"

'46 Memorial Article Project, his wife Roberta & sons James, Peter and Robert

Personal Eulogy

deceased

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