Max Kaplan

Simon Max Kaplan, known to all as Max, a brilliant mind and a loving soul, left this world on July 26, 2024.

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, August 1, 2024, at Congregation Beth Shalom.  Burial will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.  

Born on July 8, 1992, in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of Daniel and Ellen (Dachauer) Kaplan. Max's journey was one of remarkable achievements and profound relationships that touched the lives of many.

Max's pursuit of knowledge was evident from a very young age. He was a stellar student with a passion for physics and chemistry who played the violin, drums and football. He graduated from North High School in 2011 before embarking on a remarkable academic journey. With a Presidential Scholarship in hand, he attended the University of Southern California and graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Employed at the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute at USC, Max co-authored published papers on high energy density materials used in explosives and rocket fuels. Max continued his academic pursuits at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where he was pursuing a master’s in international relations. He and his loving wife Zoey met at SAIS and were married last December in Washington, D.C.

Beyond academia, Max found joy in diverse outdoors pursuits that brought him closer to nature. His hobbies included hiking, camping, running, biking, snowboarding and playing tennis. In 2018, he hiked 500 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Max leaves behind a legacy that will be forever cherished by those who knew and loved him. He is survived by his beloved wife Ziqiong "Zoey" Kuang of Washington, D.C., his parents Daniel and Ellen Kaplan of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and his siblings: Emily (Brian) Soloway of Los Angeles, CA; Dr. Jacob Kaplan (fiancé Dr. Natalie Wilner) of Charlottesville, VA; and Kate Kaplan of Washington, D.C. Max also leaves behind his niece Sadelle Soloway, nephew Miles Soloway, and uncles: Dr. John Dachauer of Austin, TX; and David (Julie) Kaplan of Sioux City.

Max was preceded in death by his Paternal and Maternal Grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Food Bank of Siouxland.