Allen Kaplan

Allen Kaplan passed away in his sleep in Arroyo Hondo on December 31, 2016 at the age of  83. He is survived by his wife Judy Macfarlane, and two sons Aaron and Solomon Kaplan, daughter in law Jen Sawyer and grand daughter Ruby.

Al was born and raised in Washington DC and achieved a degree in physics from Johns Hopkins University. After graduation he moved to Berkeley, California and attended graduate school at the University of California. He was an active outdoors man and loved climbing and spelunking with the Cal Hiking Club in the Sierra Nevada. 

Al and Judy met in Berkeley and moved to Arroyo Hondo in 1967 after traveling around the U.S. looking for a suitable place to homestead. They built their own adobe house and over the years were mostly self-sufficient. They grew alfalfa hay for their milk goats, raised rabbits and chickens and had a thriving garden that increased over the years. In the early years the two boys grew up without electricity or running water though as time went along these amenities were added to the house. 

Both Al and Judy were an inspiration to many friends over the years as they successfully lived their quiet life on the land. Their home became a kind of central station for friends and strangers from afar passing through. Al played the banjo both at home and was a founding member of the Taos Contra Band. Many were the nights when friends stopped by to play music and share in home cooked meals.

Al was commissioner for many years on the Atalaya ditch and was influential in organizing and insuring its' stability and proper functioning. He loved agriculture and studied best practices for planting and raising crops and passed this love of the land on to his two sons, both of whom continue to raise goats and work the land.

His many friends mourn the passing of this quiet, thoughtful and gentle man. A memorial potluck and music celebration will be held this coming Spring at their homestead. Look for the announcement in the newspaper.