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Classmates' Lives Take Turns Likely and Unlikely over a 50-year Course That All Began at Beverly High

By Susan Monahan

Donald Kaplan spent time in traditional college, but soon realized getting his general contractor's license was the most valuable tool. After the heartbreaking loss of his daughter four decades later, Kaplan's time is spent constructing a network for young travelers so they will be more secure in the future.

Kaplan led as a foreman on construction jobs while studying to get his license. Throughout the 1970s and 80s Kaplan directed construction rehabilitation for large apartments and at one time managed as many as 45 properties. Today, his Services International Corporation deals in real estate and international investment; Kaplan's company bought and developed 1600 acres in New Zealand.

A daughter and son from his first marriage to a Beverly High graduate are both married, and Kaplan has two grandchildren. In 1981 he was remarried and moved from the Beverly Hills area.

The couple soon built a house in Agoura Hills. "We wanted to raise the kids in a smaller environment with good schools," said Kaplan.

In early 2003 his daughter Alyson, then 20, began a back-packing trip through Europe. "She saved all her money for this, it was something she really wanted to do," said Kaplan. Alyson had just been accepted to the Semester at Sea program through the University of Pittsburgh for later that year.

She was caught in a storm in London on her way to meet a friend on January 30. Public transit had been shut down, and after losing her way at Victoria Station she was lured to shelter by a stranger. A tragic turn of events led to Alyson's murder.

The transient Robert Noble turned himself in to the police for strangling the young girl and stealing her watch, which he pawned just before.

Local papers and national magazines like Marie Claire covered the story.

"Alyson made a lot of friends, her smile would draw you in," remembered Kaplan. "I couldn't believe all the letter and emails we got from the people she met." A web site is dedicated to her memory at www.alysonkaplan.com

After a year of grieving, Kaplan is determined to turn his energies into something positive. With the help of corporate sponsors who operate internationally, he hopes to build The Global Safe Haven Network. "The idea is to give a young person -- or any traveler -- a few hours to make a good choice, especially if they're stranded," he said.

The traveler would carry a type of phone card with an informational, free number to call for information on the nearest Safe Haven-friendly business, where one would find hotel and food discounts.

"This is exactly what my daughter would have wanted. If you had a problem, she'd always sit down with you until you came up with a solution, " said Kaplan.