H. David Kaplan was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 13, 1934. In 1956, he received a BA in journalism from The University of Michigan. Kaplan has worked for newspapers, magazines, and corporate communications while also functioning as a patron of and volunteer to the arts throughout the United States.

Kaplan's longstanding interest in the performing/fine arts was established by his parents, and was further entrenched when he lived in New York City. Another influence on his interest in the arts was his uncle, Al Kaplan, who performed in vaudeville throughout the world from 1920-1947.

Kaplan has provided many years of service to the arts through his involvement with the Houston Grand Opera, in his former role as Associate Publisher for Houston's Performing Arts Magazine, and in his ongoing role as an instructor in Enjoying Opera and American Opera courses for continuing education classes in Federal Way, Washington. He has also enhanced the arts collections of several libraries, donating this collection as well as portions of the Hoblitzelle Theatre Collection to the University of Texas, Austin, and a 48-volume collection of New York City theatre playbills and programs to the University of Washington Libraries' Special Collections. He continues his enthusiastic patronage of the arts, and routinely donates New York theater programs to the University of Washington.