Claire and Daniel Kaplan

Claire Hershfang Kaplan was surrounded by love when she passed away on January 19, 2025, at the age of 91 and Daniel Richard Kaplan was surrounded by love when he passed away on January 23, 2025 at the age of 94.

A funeral service is scheduled for Claire and Daniel on Sunday, January 26, 2025, 1:00 pm at Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel in Livingston, NJ.

Below are the obituaries for Claire Hershfang Kaplan and Daniel Richard Kaplan.

Obituary for Claire Hershfang Kaplan

Born Claire Hershfang on October 28, 1933, to Samuel and Eleanor Hershfang, Claire was the fourth of their five children. Born in the Bronx, New York, Claire would spend most of her life living in beautiful, peaceful, and country settings, which she preferred over city life. Claire was a bright student and graduated high school two years ahead of her class. Claire attended Columbia University.

While living in New York City, Claire met her great love, Daniel Richard Kaplan. They married in 1966 and together raised their two children, Melissa and David. As a family, Claire, Dan, Melissa and David resided for periods in Bridgewater, New Jersey, Wilton, Connecticut and Palos Verdes, California, before settling into their long-term home in Mendham, New Jersey, where they lived for 42 years.

Claire was able to have a fulfilling life as a mother, as well as hold a professional career and pursue significant work as a volunteer, as her children got older. Claire worked as a recruiter for Dun and Bradstreet, where she excelled and won several company awards. Years later, Claire found satisfaction and purpose volunteering as a tour guide for Channel 13 in NYC. Perhaps the most significant work Claire did was to volunteer for the Jersey Battered Women Services (JBWS), to provide support for domestic violence victims.

While work was fulfilling in its own way, Claire loved family above all else. Claire always thought that her most important role was that of mother to Melissa, David and David’s wife Cheryl and grandmother to her grandchildren, Alex, Eric, Zach, Cameron and Ryan. Claire’s bright outlook, enduring selflessness, kind nature and warm smile, kept her household always filled with love and provided a nurturing environment for her family to thrive. Claire was also very close with her own siblings and Dan’s, as well as taking great joy in being with her nieces and nephews. Whether with family, friends or acquaintances, Claire’s favorite thing was to laugh and have fun. She was a beautiful storyteller and had a gift of making everyone with whom she came in contact feel loved and valued.

Claire will be missed beyond measure. She is survived by her husband, Dan, her children, Melissa, David and David’s wife Cheryl, her grandchildren, Alex, Eric, Zach, Cameron, and Ryan, her brother, Herbert Hershfang and his wife Ann, Dan's two children, Jon and Amy, numerous nieces and nephews, and caring network of extended family and friends.

Thank you to everyone, for your thoughts and prayers for Claire and the Hershfang and Kaplan families.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in Claire’s name to the Parkinson’s Foundation at Parkinson.org.

Obituary for Daniel Richard Kaplan

Born Daniel Richard Kaplan on May 18, 1930, to Jacob and Sadie Kaplan, in Newark, New Jersey, Daniel was the second of three children, with two sisters, Helen Levinson and Irene Amarel. Growing up in Newark, Daniel attended Weequahic High School. Daniel maintained dear friendships from his earliest years for the majority of his life.

Daniel went to Lehigh University and graduated with a BS degree in Industrial Engineering. He also received his MS in Industrial Management from NJIT and his MS in Business Administration from Columbia University. Daniel was Magna Cum Laude at each level of achievement. After graduation, Daniel joined the U.S. Air Force and served his country from 1953-1956 as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Technical Intelligence Command at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, where he worked analyzing the capabilities of the USSR aircraft industry.

Daniel was married twice. He and his first wife Carol had two children, Jonathan and Amy. Daniel later married Claire Hershfang in 1966, and in 1967, their son David was born. Daniel also adopted Claire’s daughter Melissa in 1967. Dan and Claire were married 58 years and he was very devoted to her.

As a family, Daniel, Claire, Melissa and David resided for periods in Bridgewater, New Jersey, Wilton, Connecticut and Palos Verdes, California, before settling into their long-term home in Mendham, New Jersey, where they lived for 42 years.

Daniel was a successful business executive and later became a management consultant. He worked for a number of consumer product companies, including Nabisco, Mattel and Playtex, before becoming President of Metem Corporation, a machining company, and then President of Kemp Industries, a manufacturer of hydraulic pumps, motors and valves for the defense industry.

Daniel’s joy was to be with his family and friends, with whom he loved eating out, watching football games (particularly his beloved Lehigh) and sharing holiday gatherings. Daniel worked out consistently from the time he was a young man and stayed in great shape. He found peace being outside in the sun, whether landscaping around the house or reading a book at the beach. He and Claire also were great dancers and a joy to watch on the dance floor.

In his later years, Claire was Dan’s priority and he could always be found by her side. Claire predeceased Dan by 4 days. Until the end and beyond, they were together and still are.

Daniel will be missed beyond measure. He is survived by his children, Melissa, Jon and his wife Cathy and their children, Amy, David and his wife Cheryl, as well as Daniel’s grandchildren, Alex, Eric, Zach, Cameron, Ryan, and Michael, plus several nieces and nephews, and a caring network of extended family and friends.

Thank you to everyone, for your thoughts and prayers for Daniel and the Kaplan family.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in Daniel’s name to Lehigh University at https://www2.lehigh.edu/ and/or the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey at https://www.jfedgmw.org/