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Maxwell "Max" Kaplan of Kettering, who will be 8 in October, stole the show when his family gathered to honor his grandparents on their 60th wedding anniversary.

Holding a fencing foil with a rubber tip, Max demonstrated how to advance, lunge and retreat.

His proud grandfather, Bob Kaplan, sitting next to his wife, Beverly, joined in the applause, and later told the boy he had "great style and concentration."

Those are pretty good words of praise from a man who, at one time, was a national champion in fencing for New York University and, at 24, became the youngest and most successful fencing coach in Ohio State University history.

The Kaplans, now in their early 80s, celebrated the special anniversary July 5 at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe at 1421 Olentangy River Road near the Ohio State University campus in Columbus.

The restaurant showcases one of the largest collections of Ohio State sports memorabilia, and the Kaplans learned during their anniversary party that a new display case was being dedicated with trophies, letters, certificates, fencing equipment and photographs of Bob Kaplan and his 1949 OSU Big Ten National Championship fencing team.

Kaplan, who was fencing coach at the university for 17 years, is surprised and pleased that his tenure at Ohio State is being honored in a permanent way.

"I think it is quite a nice gesture, and I am so thankful that my sons, my family, arranged for this. Many athletes have taken part over the years, and fencing needs to retain a place of honor in Ohio State's sports history."

Kaplans' four sons include Ron, executive director of the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton; David, who lives in Florida; Bruce who lives near Chicago; and Kenn, who just moved with his family to Southern California. All were present with their families for the festivities.

"Not one of my four sons took up fencing," Bob Kaplan said. "We never pushed them and respected their choices to participate in other sports. I must say it is quite nice to know that Ron's oldest son, little Maxwell, has taken a liking to fencing. The boy called me just the other night and told me he took part in his first tournament (at the Kettering Recreation Center) and won a fourth-place ribbon. He told me he won't be happy until he wins a medal. I think he will stick to it."

Beverly Kaplan said she got a tear in her eye when Maxwell performed during the party.

"It was a wonderful moment," she said. "Bob had this sparkle of pride in his eyes. It was a really nice touch. I told the kids all we really wanted for our 60th anniversary was a small gathering of the family, my four boys, their wives, and our 12 grandchildren. Well, we got that, and much more. There were these wonderful surprises."

The Kaplans' youngest son, Kenn, brought along a rock and roll band he plays with, and Beverly Kaplan said, "I got on the floor with Bob and we boogied with the best of them."

She said, "When we moved to Columbus after Bob was hired as coach, he had just come back from military service after the war, and it was after the Depression and things were a bit rough.

"I cooked on a hot plate in our rented room, and we took the bus to get around. I modeled a bit and Bob's coaching career took off. We eventually started our family, and together we have lived a wonderful life together."

Kaplan, said, "I am very lucky. She is a special lady. We have worked together well. We feel so blessed to have this wonderful family."

Dale Huffman wants your suggestions and story ideas.

Send e-mail to dhuffman@DaytonDailyNews.com or write to Dale at 1611 S. Main St. Dayton, OH 45409. Fax: (937) 225-2489. Phone: (937) 225-2272.