David Isaac Caplan

David Isaac Caplan of Canton, MA, formerly of Menlo Park, CA, and Framingham, MA, passed away peacefully at home on October 3, 2025 at the age of 95, surrounded by the love and comfort of his adoring family. Born on October 10, 1929, he was the son of James H. Caplan and Isabelle M. (Matthews) Caplan.

David found his greatest joy and felt a deep sense of pride in his family. He was the beloved husband of Elinor R. (Blumenthal) Caplan for 70 years, until her passing in 2023. He was the devoted father of James H. Caplan (Heather) of Marblehead, MA, Deborah J. Machlin (Robert) of Los Altos, CA, Susan T. Ryan (John) of Naples, FL, and Judith C. Crowley (Thomas) of Longboat Key, FL. He was a cherished grandfather to Claire Caplan, Matthew Caplan, Jennifer Machlin, Stephanie Foust (Benjamin), Michael Machlin, Sydney Ryan, Samuel Ryan, Rachel Barrett (Michael), Katherine Crowley, and Nicole Crowley. David was also a fond brother-in-law of Victor Blumenthal (Lee), Ann Parker, Dorothy Wiedis, and the late David Blumenthal.

David earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mathematics from MIT, his alma mater that he held dear throughout his life, and later a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. These studies laid the foundation for a long and distinguished career in technology.

For three decades, David built his career on the East Coast in roles that reflected a natural extension of his education. Beginning as a programmer and design engineer, he advanced through increasingly senior technical and managerial positions, ultimately serving as Vice President and General Manager in several technology companies.

In the early 1980s, David and his wife Elinor moved to Silicon Valley, where he embraced the culture of innovation, serving in senior leadership roles including Executive Vice President, President, and CEO at multiple companies. Over these decades, he also served on the boards of twenty companies, generously mentoring entrepreneurs and executives, most notably guiding Objectivity, Inc. as he transitioned from CEO to Chairman, and continued to support its leadership for the remainder of his career into his nineties.

A lifelong learner, at the age of 77, David earned his Executive Juris Doctor degree with honors and later became a licensed USPTO Patent Agent, a testament to his enduring passion for intellectual growth.

Outside of his career and academic pursuits, David found joy in exploration and adventure. While at MIT, he discovered a love of sailing on the Charles River, which blossomed into decades of boating with his family in Onset, Massachusetts.

Later, on the West Coast, David became an avid pilot, bringing the same analytical rigor to aviation that defined his professional life. He took great pleasure in flying his single engine plane, often with Elinor as his happy passenger to destinations in California and Nevada.

In addition to his many other interests, David was an enthusiastic follower of the financial markets and enjoyed encouraging innovation in startup companies as an angel investor.

After the loss of his beloved wife in early 2023, David returned to Massachusetts and made his home at Orchard Cove in Canton. There he forged many meaningful friendships, drawing great comfort from the supportive and loving community.

Surrounded by family and friends, he embraced this final chapter of his life with the same warmth, gentleness, curiosity, and resilience that had defined all his years.

Services will be held on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Temple Israel, 145 Hartford Street, Natick, MA, with interment to follow at Framingham-Natick Jewish Cemetery, Natick, MA.

Livestream available at https://player2.streamspot.com/?playerId=4a712748

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Orchard Cove Scholarship Fund, 1 Del Pond Drive, Canton, MA 02021.

Arrangements under the direction of Levine Chapels, www.levinechapels.com