Charles T. Kaplan

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of Charles Theodore Kaplan, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Charles passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of February 12th, 2024. He was a true family man, always a gentleman, and a wonderful storyteller. He was a bright spark in this world, a friend to all, and he will be deeply missed by many.

Charles, or Charlie as he was known to all, was born on May 17th, 1927 in Camden, New Jersey. He attended Camden High School but left high school at the age of 17 to join the Coast Guard to serve his country during WWII. He served in the Pacific for a year until the war’s end. At that point, he returned to a special high school for returning veterans to receive his diploma. He then went on to study business at Rutgers University.

Soon after college, he met the love of his life, Bernice Dash at a dance in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Their first date was on New Year’s Eve, and they were married 8 months later, on August 29th, 1954. Their loving marriage lasted just short of 70 years. Their first child, Jan, was born to them in 1957, followed by the birth of their second child, Robin, in 1959.

Charlie had a successful career as a regional sales manager in the liquor and beer industry in New Jersey for over 35 years before moving to Virginia Beach with Bernice to be near the ocean. There they purchased an auto service franchise and went into business for themselves.

In Virginia Beach, Charlie took up racquetball and tennis, playing tennis into his 80’s. He also bought a Hobie cat, learned to sail, and spent many happy times sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. Charlie was an avid reader, and he especially enjoyed reading books about the Civil War and WWII. He also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles daily for most of his life.

Charlie and Bernice retired to Florida in 1988 where they spent many happy years, first living in Jupiter, then in Palm Beach Gardens, and finally in Port St. Lucie. They spent their last few years together in Bluffton, SC.

Together, Charlie and Bernice became founding members of Temple Sinai in Cinnaminson, NJ and Temple B’nai Shalom (formerly known as East Brunswick Reform Congregation) in East Brunswick, NJ. Charlie also helped organize the first ever “Low-Rent Regatta” in Virginia Beach.

Charlie is predeceased by his loving parents, Sophie and Samuel Kaplan and his adoring brother and sister, Dr. Robert I. Kaplan and Ruth Korman.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Bernice Kaplan, his devoted children Jan Cheryl Kaplan Golden (William Lawrence Golden, Jr.) and Robin Sandy Kaplan Katz (David Michael Katz), his loving grandchildren, Samantha Lee Goldman (Matty Samuel Goldman) and David Kenneth Golden (Emily Bowie Golden), and two beautiful great-granddaughters, Bailey Beverly Golden and Noa Brielle Goldman.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the following organization:

USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute - Donations may be made in one of three ways: 1) By check to the USF Foundation, listing The Byrd Institute Caregiver Support & Education Fund #250291 on the memo line. Include a note with the name, Charles Kaplan, and the name and address of each family member who you wish to be notified. Mail your check and note to USF Foundation, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC 100, Tampa, FL 33620; 2) Online at usf.to/byrd (Caregiver Support & Education Fund #250291). Please check the "in memory of" box and complete the information for notifying the family; 3) By phone by calling Dan Minor, senior director of development, at 813-396-0731. The USF Foundation Office of Donor Relations will notify family members of your gift in honor or in memory of their loved one.