Dr. Benjamin M. Kaplan

Dr. Benjamin M. Kaplan, a prominent cardiologist in Chicago for 60 years, died February 26, 2019 at his home in Wilmette, IL. He was 95 years old. Kaplan was born in September 3, 1923 in Louisville, Kentucky, the youngest in a family of six children. He attended Washington and Lee University and Duke University in the Navy V12 program before entering University of Louisville Medical School in January 1944. After completing first year residency in Internal Medicine at Louisville General Hospital, he was stationed at Jacksonville Naval Hospital in Florida. He served as the doctor aboard ship during the Korean War. Kaplan returned from the Pacific for senior residency in Internal Medicine at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. He joined the staff at Michael Reese in 1957. In 1960, he formed a private practice with Dr. Albert J. Miller. In the same year, he opened a Coronary Care Unit at Michael Reese, the second of its kind in the city of Chicago. Soon thereafter, he helped to develop the Intensive Care Unit with Dr. Fred Pick. By 1972 his practice, Clinical Cardiology Group, had grown to include Drs. David Abrams, Martin Grais, and Mark Upton. They moved to Northwestern University Hospital. Kaplan published numerous articles on topics in cardiology over the years. He represented Illinois at the American College of Cardiology and became a professor of Internal Medicine at Northwestern University. He was a devoted doctor to his patients, many of whom became his friends. Kaplan enjoyed many hobbies including golf, tennis, sailing, and bridge. He and his wife, Miriam, travelled extensively. As a medical professional, he advocated for gun control and traffic safety. Kaplan is survived by his wife, Miriam, and their children James (Laurie) and Tamara (Kenneth Danford), and four grandchildren, Anna, Alexander, Samuel, and Claudia, and numerous nephews and nieces. A funeral service will be held Friday, March 1, 2019 at 11:00 am at Congregation Sukkat Shalom, 1001 Central Ave., Wilmette. Interment Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or Planned Parenthood. For info: 847-256-5700.