Marcia Kaplan, an award-winning television journalist known to a generation of midstate youngsters as the hostess of "Romper Room," died Sunday in Philadelphia.
Kaplan, the first woman to appear on a hard-news television program in the area, died of complications from ocular melanoma at her home in Rittenhouse Square.
Her family would not divulge her age, but she was believed to have been in her late 60s.
"She was a pioneer," said Mike Ross, veteran newsman with WHTM-TV Channel 27 who worked with Kaplan at WTPA, WHTM's predecessor. Kaplan went on to win awards for news and public affairs during a 15-year broadcast journalism career, but it was her eight years on the "Romper Room" children's show in the 1960s that brought her fame.
"She was instantaneously recognized for her role on 'Romper Room,'" Ross said yesterday.
Kaplan was known as Miss Marcia, the teacher who educated and entertained youngsters in the studio audience and dispensed advice with the assistance of "Do Bee" and "Don't Bee."
She greeted children at home by pretending to view them through a magic looking glass.
"'Romper Room' was a staple when I was a very small child," said Pat Bannister, a news producer at WHTM and the station's film critic. "I'd hope she'd call out Pat's name," he said.
"Romper Room" was Kaplan's first job.
A native of Baltimore, her family lived in and out of Harrisburg during her youth.
After graduating from Ohio University with a bachelor's degree in political science, Kaplan married.
After her two children were in school in the 1960s, Kaplan looked for work.
A hostess was being sought for a local version of "Romper Room," a concept aired on stations throughout the world. WTPA was making its third attempt to get the show off the ground.
Kaplan was chosen from about 130 women who applied for the hostess job.
She later was the hostess of "That's Life," "From Where I Sit" and "Take 5."
"I would characterize Marcia Kaplan truly as a pioneer for women in TV journalism in central PA," said attorney LeRoy S. Zimmerman.
"She was indefatigable in her efforts to get a good story.
Marcia was able to immediately get your trust, and that was very important and is today, of course, for any journalist," said Zimmerman, who knew Kaplan during his terms as Dauphin County district attorney and Pennsylvania attorney general.
Kaplan was the first electronic journalist to win the Pennsylvania Bar Association's William A. Schnader Award in 1974 and was the 1975 recipient of the American Bar Association's Gavel award.
In 1983, the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters cited Kaplan's "Take 5" as the Best Community Services programming in the state.
She was the recipient of the first National Public Affairs award given in the Middle Atlantic region by the federal government.
Kaplan also received a paralegal degree and did paralegal work in the midstate.
After leaving WHTM in 1986, she was president of Marcia Kaplan PR/TV Ltd. In 1989, she produced the book "Harrisburg, Reflections on a Capital."
Kaplan's life was touched by tragedy. In October 1978, her 27-year-old daughter, Sari, a Washington attorney with the Library of Congress, died. Three weeks later, Kaplan's husband, Jerry, from whom she was separated, died.
In February 1984, Kaplan was seriously injured in a car crash in Derry Twp. She was pulled from the wreckage by two passers-just moments before the car burst into flames.
Kaplan moved to Philadelphia six years ago.
"She always said Harrisburg had been very, very good to her. The people treated her very well, but she needed a change," her son, of Media, said yesterday. "She just enjoyed spending time with her family."
Kaplan also is survived by a brother, of Harrisburg; a sister, of Rockville, Md.; and two grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 11: 30 a.m. Thursday at Beth El Cemetery Chapel, Susquehanna Twp.
Shiva will be observed Thursday and Friday at the home, 1435 Appletree Road, Susquehanna Twp.
Memorial contributions may be made to any chapter of the American Red Cross; Rittenhouse Square Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra, in care of Mrs. Philip Klein, 1 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia 19103; or the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2126.
Patriot-News, The (Harrisburg, PA) - Tuesday, May 9, 2000
Kaplan, the first woman to appear on a hard-news television program in the area, died of complications from ocular melanoma at her home in Rittenhouse Square.
Her family would not divulge her age, but she was believed to have been in her late 60s.
"She was a pioneer," said Mike Ross, veteran newsman with WHTM-TV Channel 27 who worked with Kaplan at WTPA, WHTM's predecessor. Kaplan went on to win awards for news and public affairs during a 15-year broadcast journalism career, but it was her eight years on the "Romper Room" children's show in the 1960s that brought her fame.
"She was instantaneously recognized for her role on 'Romper Room,'" Ross said yesterday.
Kaplan was known as Miss Marcia, the teacher who educated and entertained youngsters in the studio audience and dispensed advice with the assistance of "Do Bee" and "Don't Bee."
She greeted children at home by pretending to view them through a magic looking glass.
"'Romper Room' was a staple when I was a very small child," said Pat Bannister, a news producer at WHTM and the station's film critic. "I'd hope she'd call out Pat's name," he said.
"Romper Room" was Kaplan's first job.
A native of Baltimore, her family lived in and out of Harrisburg during her youth.
After graduating from Ohio University with a bachelor's degree in political science, Kaplan married.
After her two children were in school in the 1960s, Kaplan looked for work.
A hostess was being sought for a local version of "Romper Room," a concept aired on stations throughout the world. WTPA was making its third attempt to get the show off the ground.
Kaplan was chosen from about 130 women who applied for the hostess job.
She later was the hostess of "That's Life," "From Where I Sit" and "Take 5."
"I would characterize Marcia Kaplan truly as a pioneer for women in TV journalism in central PA," said attorney LeRoy S. Zimmerman.
"She was indefatigable in her efforts to get a good story.
Marcia was able to immediately get your trust, and that was very important and is today, of course, for any journalist," said Zimmerman, who knew Kaplan during his terms as Dauphin County district attorney and Pennsylvania attorney general.
Kaplan was the first electronic journalist to win the Pennsylvania Bar Association's William A. Schnader Award in 1974 and was the 1975 recipient of the American Bar Association's Gavel award.
In 1983, the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters cited Kaplan's "Take 5" as the Best Community Services programming in the state.
She was the recipient of the first National Public Affairs award given in the Middle Atlantic region by the federal government.
Kaplan also received a paralegal degree and did paralegal work in the midstate.
After leaving WHTM in 1986, she was president of Marcia Kaplan PR/TV Ltd. In 1989, she produced the book "Harrisburg, Reflections on a Capital."
Kaplan's life was touched by tragedy. In October 1978, her 27-year-old daughter, Sari, a Washington attorney with the Library of Congress, died. Three weeks later, Kaplan's husband, Jerry, from whom she was separated, died.
In February 1984, Kaplan was seriously injured in a car crash in Derry Twp. She was pulled from the wreckage by two passers-just moments before the car burst into flames.
Kaplan moved to Philadelphia six years ago.
"She always said Harrisburg had been very, very good to her. The people treated her very well, but she needed a change," her son, of Media, said yesterday. "She just enjoyed spending time with her family."
Kaplan also is survived by a brother, of Harrisburg; a sister, of Rockville, Md.; and two grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 11: 30 a.m. Thursday at Beth El Cemetery Chapel, Susquehanna Twp.
Shiva will be observed Thursday and Friday at the home, 1435 Appletree Road, Susquehanna Twp.
Memorial contributions may be made to any chapter of the American Red Cross; Rittenhouse Square Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra, in care of Mrs. Philip Klein, 1 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia 19103; or the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2126.
Patriot-News, The (Harrisburg, PA) - Tuesday, May 9, 2000
Marcia Kaplan, an award-winning television journalist known to a generation of midstate youngsters as the hostess of "Romper Room," died Sunday in Philadelphia.
Kaplan, the first woman to appear on a hard-news television program in the area, died of complications from ocular melanoma at her home in Rittenhouse Square.
Her family would not divulge her age, but she was believed to have been in her late 60s.
"She was a pioneer," said Mike Ross, veteran newsman with WHTM-TV Channel 27 who worked with Kaplan at WTPA, WHTM's predecessor. Kaplan went on to win awards for news and public affairs during a 15-year broadcast journalism career, but it was her eight years on the "Romper Room" children's show in the 1960s that brought her fame.
"She was instantaneously recognized for her role on 'Romper Room,'" Ross said yesterday.
Kaplan was known as Miss Marcia, the teacher who educated and entertained youngsters in the studio audience and dispensed advice with the assistance of "Do Bee" and "Don't Bee."
She greeted children at home by pretending to view them through a magic looking glass.
"'Romper Room' was a staple when I was a very small child," said Pat Bannister, a news producer at WHTM and the station's film critic. "I'd hope she'd call out Pat's name," he said.
"Romper Room" was Kaplan's first job.
A native of Baltimore, her family lived in and out of Harrisburg during her youth.
After graduating from Ohio University with a bachelor's degree in political science, Kaplan married.
After her two children were in school in the 1960s, Kaplan looked for work.
A hostess was being sought for a local version of "Romper Room," a concept aired on stations throughout the world. WTPA was making its third attempt to get the show off the ground.
Kaplan was chosen from about 130 women who applied for the hostess job.
She later was the hostess of "That's Life," "From Where I Sit" and "Take 5."
"I would characterize Marcia Kaplan truly as a pioneer for women in TV journalism in central PA," said attorney LeRoy S. Zimmerman.
"She was indefatigable in her efforts to get a good story.
Marcia was able to immediately get your trust, and that was very important and is today, of course, for any journalist," said Zimmerman, who knew Kaplan during his terms as Dauphin County district attorney and Pennsylvania attorney general.
Kaplan was the first electronic journalist to win the Pennsylvania Bar Association's William A. Schnader Award in 1974 and was the 1975 recipient of the American Bar Association's Gavel award.
In 1983, the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters cited Kaplan's "Take 5" as the Best Community Services programming in the state.
She was the recipient of the first National Public Affairs award given in the Middle Atlantic region by the federal government.
Kaplan also received a paralegal degree and did paralegal work in the midstate.
After leaving WHTM in 1986, she was president of Marcia Kaplan PR/TV Ltd. In 1989, she produced the book "Harrisburg, Reflections on a Capital."
Kaplan's life was touched by tragedy. In October 1978, her 27-year-old daughter, Sari, a Washington attorney with the Library of Congress, died. Three weeks later, Kaplan's husband, Jerry, from whom she was separated, died.
In February 1984, Kaplan was seriously injured in a car crash in Derry Twp. She was pulled from the wreckage by two passers-just moments before the car burst into flames.
Kaplan moved to Philadelphia six years ago.
"She always said Harrisburg had been very, very good to her. The people treated her very well, but she needed a change," her son, of Media, said yesterday. "She just enjoyed spending time with her family."
Kaplan also is survived by a brother, of Harrisburg; a sister, of Rockville, Md.; and two grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 11: 30 a.m. Thursday at Beth El Cemetery Chapel, Susquehanna Twp.
Shiva will be observed Thursday and Friday at the home, 1435 Appletree Road, Susquehanna Twp.
Memorial contributions may be made to any chapter of the American Red Cross; Rittenhouse Square Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra, in care of Mrs. Philip Klein, 1 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia 19103; or the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2126.
Patriot-News, The (Harrisburg, PA) - Tuesday, May 9, 2000
Kaplan, the first woman to appear on a hard-news television program in the area, died of complications from ocular melanoma at her home in Rittenhouse Square.
Her family would not divulge her age, but she was believed to have been in her late 60s.
"She was a pioneer," said Mike Ross, veteran newsman with WHTM-TV Channel 27 who worked with Kaplan at WTPA, WHTM's predecessor. Kaplan went on to win awards for news and public affairs during a 15-year broadcast journalism career, but it was her eight years on the "Romper Room" children's show in the 1960s that brought her fame.
"She was instantaneously recognized for her role on 'Romper Room,'" Ross said yesterday.
Kaplan was known as Miss Marcia, the teacher who educated and entertained youngsters in the studio audience and dispensed advice with the assistance of "Do Bee" and "Don't Bee."
She greeted children at home by pretending to view them through a magic looking glass.
"'Romper Room' was a staple when I was a very small child," said Pat Bannister, a news producer at WHTM and the station's film critic. "I'd hope she'd call out Pat's name," he said.
"Romper Room" was Kaplan's first job.
A native of Baltimore, her family lived in and out of Harrisburg during her youth.
After graduating from Ohio University with a bachelor's degree in political science, Kaplan married.
After her two children were in school in the 1960s, Kaplan looked for work.
A hostess was being sought for a local version of "Romper Room," a concept aired on stations throughout the world. WTPA was making its third attempt to get the show off the ground.
Kaplan was chosen from about 130 women who applied for the hostess job.
She later was the hostess of "That's Life," "From Where I Sit" and "Take 5."
"I would characterize Marcia Kaplan truly as a pioneer for women in TV journalism in central PA," said attorney LeRoy S. Zimmerman.
"She was indefatigable in her efforts to get a good story.
Marcia was able to immediately get your trust, and that was very important and is today, of course, for any journalist," said Zimmerman, who knew Kaplan during his terms as Dauphin County district attorney and Pennsylvania attorney general.
Kaplan was the first electronic journalist to win the Pennsylvania Bar Association's William A. Schnader Award in 1974 and was the 1975 recipient of the American Bar Association's Gavel award.
In 1983, the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters cited Kaplan's "Take 5" as the Best Community Services programming in the state.
She was the recipient of the first National Public Affairs award given in the Middle Atlantic region by the federal government.
Kaplan also received a paralegal degree and did paralegal work in the midstate.
After leaving WHTM in 1986, she was president of Marcia Kaplan PR/TV Ltd. In 1989, she produced the book "Harrisburg, Reflections on a Capital."
Kaplan's life was touched by tragedy. In October 1978, her 27-year-old daughter, Sari, a Washington attorney with the Library of Congress, died. Three weeks later, Kaplan's husband, Jerry, from whom she was separated, died.
In February 1984, Kaplan was seriously injured in a car crash in Derry Twp. She was pulled from the wreckage by two passers-just moments before the car burst into flames.
Kaplan moved to Philadelphia six years ago.
"She always said Harrisburg had been very, very good to her. The people treated her very well, but she needed a change," her son, of Media, said yesterday. "She just enjoyed spending time with her family."
Kaplan also is survived by a brother, of Harrisburg; a sister, of Rockville, Md.; and two grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 11: 30 a.m. Thursday at Beth El Cemetery Chapel, Susquehanna Twp.
Shiva will be observed Thursday and Friday at the home, 1435 Appletree Road, Susquehanna Twp.
Memorial contributions may be made to any chapter of the American Red Cross; Rittenhouse Square Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra, in care of Mrs. Philip Klein, 1 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia 19103; or the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2126.
Patriot-News, The (Harrisburg, PA) - Tuesday, May 9, 2000
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