Obituary for Judge Joseph Henry Herbst Kaplan
Judge Joseph Henry Herbst Kaplan, of Baltimore, Maryland, passed away on Wednesday, January 5th, 2022 at the age of 85. He is survived by his beloved wife, Joy Kaplan (nee Keller); children, Elizabeth M. (late Dr. Bryan Paul) Fitzgerald, Katharine Herbst Kaplan (Dr. Lance Bryan Bush), and Dr. Frederick Thomas D. Kaplan (Linda Halvorsen Kaplan); grandchildren, Sarah Fitzgerald Sacco (Ryan Thomas Sacco), Hailey Fitzgerald Hughes (Matthew Daniel Hughes), Cassandra Lee Kaplan, Thomas D. Kaplan, Chloe Isabella Kaplan, Kaitlyn Rose Kaplan, Ella Grace Osdoba, Devon Rashid Bush, and Sebastian Hunter Bush. He was predeceased by his cherished parents, Dorothy Herbst Kaplan and Irving E. Kaplan; and sister, Ellen Kaplan Kohn.
Judge Kaplan dedicated his life and career to public service for the people of Baltimore and the entire state of Maryland. As Administrative and then Chief Judge of Baltimore’s Circuit Court, where he presided for more than 30 years, Judge Kaplan managed some of the most difficult cases that came to the court. During the Savings and Loan crisis of the 1980's, Judge Kaplan put a halt to a run on the banks, and set up a receivership to ensure the failed savings and loan associations had sufficient funds to pay depositor claims and implement a regulatory structure to ensure their safety going forward. He was instrumental in saving the Lucas Art Collection, which includes 18,000 paintings, bronzes, and porcelains, for the people of Baltimore by negotiating a settlement that allowed the art to become part of the collection of the Baltimore Museum of Art rather than being auctioned and sold off; he brokered a settlement that allowed the Camden Yards development to go forward; and he championed the approval of adoptions without regard for a parent’s sexual orientation. He was passionate about architecture, and oversaw the restoration of his beloved, historic Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse as well as the construction of a new Juvenile Justice Center. No matter how complex the matter, the Judge was always prepared, having read the filings and having an intimate understanding of the law. He treated all who came before him with courtesy and respect from counsel to litigants - to sit before Judge Kaplan was to be heard and treated fairly. Outside of the courtroom, he volunteered his service to innumerable organizations.
Services are planned for the springtime, with details to follow. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to The Baltimore Courthouse and Museum Foundation, c/o Robert Gaumont, Esquire (Treasurer), Gordon Feinblatt, LLC, 1001 Fleet Street, Suite 700, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
Judge Kaplan dedicated his life and career to public service for the people of Baltimore and the entire state of Maryland. As Administrative and then Chief Judge of Baltimore’s Circuit Court, where he presided for more than 30 years, Judge Kaplan managed some of the most difficult cases that came to the court. During the Savings and Loan crisis of the 1980's, Judge Kaplan put a halt to a run on the banks, and set up a receivership to ensure the failed savings and loan associations had sufficient funds to pay depositor claims and implement a regulatory structure to ensure their safety going forward. He was instrumental in saving the Lucas Art Collection, which includes 18,000 paintings, bronzes, and porcelains, for the people of Baltimore by negotiating a settlement that allowed the art to become part of the collection of the Baltimore Museum of Art rather than being auctioned and sold off; he brokered a settlement that allowed the Camden Yards development to go forward; and he championed the approval of adoptions without regard for a parent’s sexual orientation. He was passionate about architecture, and oversaw the restoration of his beloved, historic Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse as well as the construction of a new Juvenile Justice Center. No matter how complex the matter, the Judge was always prepared, having read the filings and having an intimate understanding of the law. He treated all who came before him with courtesy and respect from counsel to litigants - to sit before Judge Kaplan was to be heard and treated fairly. Outside of the courtroom, he volunteered his service to innumerable organizations.
Services are planned for the springtime, with details to follow. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to The Baltimore Courthouse and Museum Foundation, c/o Robert Gaumont, Esquire (Treasurer), Gordon Feinblatt, LLC, 1001 Fleet Street, Suite 700, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.