"I remember Jerry as a man of boundless enthusiasm and great kindness. When I moved to Indianapolis, he welcomed me as a colleague at IUPUI and as a friend. I particularly remember him driving me around downtown, taking detours to point out restaurants, meat markets, shoe stores and other businesses he thought I might like.Jerry will be greatly missed by many at IUPUI."
In loving memory of
Jerome Kaplan
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969
Jerome I. Kaplan died on August 10th at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife Ann, daughter Jeanne, grandson Ezra Nelson, sister Meta Karmin and a host of friends and colleagues. Dr. Kaplan was born in New York City on July 28, 1926. He graduated from the University of Michigan (B.S. Mathematics) in 1950 and subsequently earned a Ph.D.in Solid State Physics at the University of California, Berkeley in 1954.
Dr. Kaplan was intellectually curious which led to achievements in numerous areas of physics and life. He contributed much to the field of solid state physics and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) in a variety of positions that included as a research scientist at the Naval Research Laboratories(54-58), a Louis Lipsky Fellow at the Weizmann Institute(56-57), a Research Associate at Brandeis University(58-61), a Fulbright Lecturer at the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland(62-63), an Associate Professor of Research at Brown University(63-67), a Research Scientist at Battelle Institute(67-73), a Staff Scientist at the Krannert Institute(74-80), a Center Fellow at the Indianapolis Center for Advanced Research (74-83) and a Professor of Physics at IUPUI (74-05). Dr. Kaplan authored nearly one hundred academic papers; in addition, he authored and co- authored four books and holds three patents. The title ?NMR of Chemically Exchanging Systems? that he wrote with Dr. Gideon Fraenkel remains after more than 30 years the standard text on exchange theory. Especially, in his many collaborations, Dr. Kaplan was responsible for important developments in physics and chemistry. For example in a major contribution?he derived the theory responsible for effects in NMR due to fast molecular reorganizations. In his collaborations with Dr. Fraenkel, Ohio State University, they applied the theory to obtain rates of reaction and reaction kinetics from NMR spectra. These methods are now used worldwide. He also co-discovered the Kaplan-Glasser state , a form of matter present in certain neutron stars.
Dr. Kaplan?s involvement with community projects has given him much satisfaction. With financial assistance from the Lilly Endowment, he developed and co-ordinated an interdisciplinary course ?Contemporary World Issues? that was offered for credit to inmates at the Indiana Youth Center in Plainfield in the middle 90?s. He was instrumental in bringing schoolchildren from nearby Crispus Attucks Middle School to the Biology Greenhouse to engage in research on salt contamination of soil and gave science talks at the IUPUI Center for Young Children.
Dr. Kaplan was a humanitarian and often spoke for the nuclear freeze movement, hoping to reduce the threat of nuclear war.
He also loved people, especially children. He didn?t know a stranger and his playful joyful approach to life warmed the hearts of all who knew him.
A family service will be held at a future date. He will be profoundly missed.
you may visit www.leppertmortuary.com where you may sign the guest book, share a personal story of Dr. Kaplan, or make a donation to St. Vincent Hospice or Union of Concerned Scientist.
Tributes
"What a beautiful mind and brilliant man! I loved that he was always quick with a joke, had a sparkle in his eye and was so gentle while correcting my ever-failing French."
"I am so sad hearing the passing of Dr. Kaplan. Jerry was very kind to the colleages, especially the young ones. Even after nearly twenty years, I still remember that Jerry took me and my wife to a nice local restaurant and introduced the city to us. I enjoyed discussing with him on all kinds of issues, ranging from politics to physics. His mind was very sharp even at the later years. Jerry will certainly be missed around."
"Jerry will be missed. He was a good scientist interested in many topics of a variety of interests. He was a faculty member at IUPUI during an important period of its growth."
"Mr. Kaplan filled our home with his warmth , kindness, and optimisim. It was an honor to take care of Jerry. I thank-you, Jerry's family and friends for allowing us to care for him. He is greatly missed."
"We were sorry to hear of Jerry's passing and our thoughts go out to his family. We remember Jerry's smile and his enthusiasm. He was such a scholar. I still remember sitting next to him at a meeting at School 84 and looked over to see him doodling formulas. We know there are many memories to help celebrate his life."
">>In 1982 Jerry would come upstairs to Chemistry at the Purdue School>>of Science on 38th St where I was a new but not young Asst. Prof.>>He looked like Ben Gazzara, carried an aura of non-midwestern>>inquisitiveness, and was always great fun to talk science with. I>>see that we published 10 papers together, which shows how I>>depended on him to provide the basic physical foundations for what>>I did, completely different from his own celebrated work. This also>>gave my students the chance to talk to him; the undergraduates>>especially loved this. Jerry was a selfless and compassionate man,>>never angry at individuals but outspoken about institutionalized>>abuse. For this reason he was chastised by an administrator who>>told him "only a fool seeks justice". Let's hope the world gets>>another such wonderful fool.Paul Dubin, University of Massachusetts"