Old is what you make it. Years ago, when I was in my thirties, I was backpacking up a hill. Even though I was out of breath and huffing and puffing heavy, I thought I was doing pretty good. Then, this guy who was probably in his seventies with a full pack on his back sails right past me, nods, and throws me a "Good Morning." I couldn't even reply, I was so out of breath.
Jack LaLanne remained in great shape right to the end. He has probably done more in the past week than most Americans.
I had a philosophy professor in college who was in her nineties and still as mentally and physically active as a woman half her age. Another former professor of mine, Paula Turnbull, remains an active artist of considerable abilty and fame even in her advanced years.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zenamoonbeam/3256859040/A guy in my amateur radio club was building computers at the age of 100, and was still on the air nearly every day.
Reginald Hoskin, Sr., W7ROL, died December 11, 2002, in Spokane, WA. He was 101 years old, born December 9, 1901. His first radio license was NU9EML in Ironwood, Michigan, issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1918. Later his call sign was W9EML. He was on the air continuously over 80 years, except during WWII when all Amateur Radio was temporarily discontinued for reasons of national security. He was a member of the American Radio Relay League, the Old, Old Timers’ Club, and the Quarter Century Club. Reg, as he was known to his friends, was on the HMS Titanic when she sailed from Belfast to Southampton, England. When she docked for more supplies and passengers, there was a long wait on shore for the family. When they tried to re-board, no one could find the baby's passport, and fortunately the Hoskin family was not permitted to sail on that ill-fated voyage. After they finally arrived in America, Reg’s father became a miner, while Reg attended fourth grade. Shortly after, the boy contracted polio and consequently lost his voice for several years. When his father was hurt in a mining accident, Reg went to work in the mines at age 14 to help support the family. He learned Morse code and radio theory from the local high school principal, who had been a radio operator in WWI. During Reg’s long life, he was employed as a deputy sheriff, fireman, postman, radio repairman, electrician, logger and mechanic. In 1947, he and his wife Ruby, W7QME, moved to Everett, WA, where he was active in the Ham Radio in Search and Rescue operations. He then was licensed as W7ROL. He built a house in Hamilton, WA, and when Ruby died, he moved to Four Lakes, WA, to be near his daughter who lived in Spokane. When she died, he had his dog, Bobby, and his Ham Radio gear. Other local Hams and I especially enjoyed visiting Reggie, listening to his wonderful stories of the old days. He was a grand old gentleman, a good friend, and will be greatly missed. He is buried in Hamilton, along with his daughter, and wife.
The Free Talk Live BBS
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Topic: Age (Read 14796 times)