|
Ralph Waldo McBurney (October 3, 1902 — ), usually known as Waldo, is said to be the oldest worker in the United States. At age 106, he still lives and works as a beekeeper in the city of Quinter, Kansas. Although he was born in Quinter and has lived in the Quinter area for many years,[1] he has also lived near the Kansas cities of Sterling[2] and Beloit.[3]
[edit] Personal lifeHe was the third of six children born to George R. and Mary B. (Huston) McBurney.[4] After two years at Sterling College, he transferred to the Kansas State Agricultural College (now Kansas State University), from which he graduated in 1927. Two years later, he married the former Irene Spear; together, they had three children. After her death in 1960, he married the former Vernice Forman in 1962, twelve years younger than he; she is yet living.[5] He suffered a heart attack in 1994,[6] but continued competing afterward. Although he himself is not a minister, both his father and his son Kenneth have been ministers in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America,[7] in which he is an elder.[8] [edit] SportsHe holds multiple world records for track and field events for his age level. In 2004, he published an autobiography entitled My First 100 Years. He credits his success partially to his age; as he says in his autobiography, "It is easy to earn gold medals when one has no competition in one's age group!"[9] His continued competition at his age has attracted the attention of gerontologists.[10] [edit] RecognitionIn October 2006, McBurney was recognized as the oldest worker in America by Experience Works.[11] As a result, he was featured in newspapers nationwide[12] and on the CBS television program Assignment America.[13] He is also a past recipient of the "Hometown Health Hero" award given by the Governor of Kansas.[14] [edit] References
Directorio de Enlaces Directorio dmoz Directorio espejo dmoz Pedro Bernardo |