 | |
| Morton S. Kaplan | |
| August 11, 1929 - July 28, 2012 | |
| Bettendorf, Iowa | |
| Funeral Service: 11:30am Monday July 30, 2012 at Tri City Jewish Center, Rock Island, Illinois | |
| Interment: , at Hebrew Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois | |
| Morton S. Kaplan, 82, of Bettendorf, died Saturday, July 28, 2012 at Trinity Medical Center, Bettendorf. Services for Mr. Kaplan will be 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 30, 2012 at Tri – City Jewish Center, Rock Island. Burial will follow at Hebrew Cemetery, Rock Island. Memorials may be made to Congregation Beth Israel at The Tri City Jewish Center. Mort, a graduate of the University of Omaha, was born August 11, 1929 in Avoca, Iowa, the youngest son of Abraham Kaplan and Gertrude Moskowitz Kaplan. On December 14, 1952, he married Nancy Shamon in the ballroom of the Blackhawk Hotel in Davenport. Throughout their nearly 60 years together they lived in every one of the Quad Cities, starting their life together in Moline and ultimately raising their family in Bettendorf. Mort was a pillar of the Quad Cities' Jewish Community starting as an advisor for nearly twenty years to the local chapter of the B'nai Brith Youth Organization and rising to President of the Tri City Jewish Center and a long time member of the Board of Directors. He was a member of the building committee with the Center instrumental in the construction of their building on 30th Street in Rock Island. Mort started his working career at Davenport Produce rising to owner and growing it to be one of the largest poultry distributors in the nation providing distribution services to the Eagle food chain with over 200 stores across the Midwest. An influential member of the industry he was a past president of the National Independent Poultry and Food Distribution Association and was named as its Man of the Year in the early 1980's. The Wall Street Journal called him on a daily basis for his opinion on the market price of chickens. After his early retirement he became an avid golfer, logging hundreds of rounds at Davenport Country Club as a member for over 30 years. Once he could no longer play he was awarded an honorary membership which he still held. Mort was a friend to many and an inspiration to all. His proudest achievement though was his family. He and Nancy raised four children, Todd Kaplan, Mark Kaplan, Lisa Jackson and Sheri Kinman who gave him four grandchildren Sydney and Jordan Kinman, Adam Jackson and Adriana Kaplan. All of his children followed his example to success in their own lives. He was fortunate enough to have all his survivors - his loving wife, his four children, their spouses Greg Kinman, Rick Jackson and Therese Kaplan, all his grandchildren, and a very special nephew and his girlfriend Stanley Sunleaf and Catherine Cocose together with him at the end to receive his praises and love and final instructions. He led a wonderful life and he will be greatly missed. | |
|
Miss you already Uncle Mort, you were a wonderful person. We miss you already.
-- Stan Sunleaf
Dear Nancy and family,
I was so sorry to hear the passing of Mort. What a great man! Working with him at Kaper Sales was such a great experience. I learned so much from him. Rest in peace Mort. You will truly be missed.
-- Heidi Erpelding-Behning
My heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to you Nancy and the Kaplan family at this time of your bereavement. I know first hand what a loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle Mort was and his absence will leave an empty space in the lives of his loved ones. However, Mort will never be forgotten because I know he left many fond memories of his love etched forever in each of your hearts and may you draw upon those times now to comfort you. My prayers are with you.
-- Wenonah M. Allen
I knew Mort Kaplan from our many years serving together on various poultry industry organizations. Mort was a man of high character and integrity and exemplified the highest standards of professional conduct. It was an honor to have known him and I wish his family the very best in the coming years. John Monfredini, Pacific Agri-Products, Inc.
-- John Monfredini
Dear Kinman family,
My deepest condolences on the loss of your father, father-in-law and grandfather. You will all be in my prayers.
-- Mary Esther Baldwin
