CELEBRITY OF THE MONTH
Each month we share with you a brief biography of a club member. Send us your story and we will publish it so our readers can get to know you.


This month’s “Celebrity” is one that we are proud to recognize as one of our own.

Marvin Kaplan is probably one of the best known personalities in Huntington Lakes. Everyone knows that he originally installed the HLI Theater equipment for those with hearing loss, closed circuit TV for in-house shows and designed the original audio booth, etc. We also know that he started the HL Video Club in 1986 and continues lecturing on new technology once a month. As president and leader of the club’s activities, he set up the Video equipment and computers with training for club members.

However, what you probably don’t know is: he studied Electrical Engineering at CCNY. He studied TV in 1939 (when TV was an infant and made TV conversions for RCA in 1940, after which he worked for GE from 1941 to 1943 as a Radar Test Equipment design engineer. He then served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946 as Chief Radar Operator. Marvin built a special Radar tester which was used to calibrate and test the paratrooper’s radar and speeded up the process in time for the Normandy invasion. He was then transferred to the Air Force Development Lab. to design miniature radar. After his discharge he received a special Commendation from General “Hap” Arnold for his achievement.

When he was discharged from the service he became a partner in a firm doing TV installation and repair for G.E. and owns 2 TV patents.

Marvin spent 3 years, in Hong Kong, modernizing 2 plants for Ideal Toys. His career blossomed when he became a Vice President for Loral Corp. Engineering Division for 9 years including becoming President of their toy division. This was followed by a switch to CBS Toys Division, where he was employed as a VP in manufacturing and electronics engineering until his retirement in 1985. His last project was the design and manufacture of Maxx Steel, a 2’ high fully operational robot.

On Marvin’s 90th birthday, last year, he received a Life Time Achievement Award from CCNY and a signed photo from General Colin Power (ret.) thanking him for his military service.

Despite his illustrious academic and career achievements, his claim to fame is being married to Bertha for over 67 years and having two children, 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Bertha wrote and directed 13 in-house shows in our theater.

MARVIN KAPLAN