David B. Kaplan

Kaplan, David B., passed away peacefully on October 7, 2014 at the age of 86. David grew up in Brookline, the son of the late Jack and Etta Kaplan. At 17, David joined the U.S. Marine Corps and fought for his country in the Pacific during World War II. His military experience remained an important influence throughout his life. David enjoyed an enormously successful legal career. For over sixty years he was a nationally recognized admiralty and maritime attorney. David argued four critical cases before the United States Supreme Court. In 1960, he helped to establish the law of the land on the important distinction between “unseaworthiness” and “negligence.” Most recently, in 2004 he secured a unanimous Supreme Court decision clarifying and unifying the legal definition of “a vessel.” An avid athlete, David played baseball and football for Brookline High School as well as Northeastern University. Throughout his adult life, David played ice hockey and tennis, but it was skiing with his children that were one of his greatest joys. David is survived by his wife, Roberta Kaplan, and his children, Michael Kaplan, Andrew Kaplan, Tracey Kaplan, Heidi and David Heinlein, Elizabeth and Jack Peet, and Jacquelyn Kaplan, as well as five grandchildren. David also leaves behind his loving sister, Corinne Dame, and two nephews. Services at Stanetsky Memorial Chapels, 1668 Beacon St., Brookline Friday, October 10, 2014 at 12 noon, followed by burial at Sharon Memorial Park. Memorial observance will be at the home of the Heinlein’s Friday following the interment, and will continue Saturday from 4-8 pm and Sunday 11-3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brigham and Women’s Hospital Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, c/o BWH Development Office, 116 Huntington Avenue, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02116.