American Walter Breuning Now Oldest Living Man in
World, Giving U.S. Title for Both Sexes
112-year-old from Montana replaces Henry Allingham
(UK), who held the title less than a month
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Walter
Breuning, 112, US, oldest living man. |
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Henry
Allingham, 113, UK, was oldest man. |
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July 23, 2009 - The crown for the oldest living man
in the world now belongs to an American, Walter Breuning, born September
21, 1896. At 112 years of age, the man from Great Falls, Montana, joins
with the oldest living woman in the world, Gertrude Baines, 115, to
claim both titles for the United States.
Breuning is also one of the 20 oldest men ever,
according to records of the
Gerontology Research Group, but there are 13 women in the world
today who are older.
Breuning inherited the honor as oldest man in the
world on July 18, 2009, with the death of Henry Allingham, Ovington,
U.K., who was 113 years old.
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"We never had the opportunity to meet Henry and
award him his Guinness World Records certificate," said Craig Glenday,
Editor-in-Chief, Guinness World Records.
"It was only a month ago that he took the title of
Oldest Living Man indeed, we were in Barcelona printing the UK edition
of the 2010 book when we heard the news of Henry's achievement, and to
make sure we recognized this fantastic character, we stopped the
presses, updated the record and printed new copies with Henry's
photograph. I'm pleased we were able to honor Henry and provide this
lasting tribute to such an inspirational man."
When asked his secret to long life, Henry joked,
tongue in cheek: "Cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women and a good
sense of humor." He also swore by a diet of jellied eels, his favorite
food, according to Guinness.
The Englishman, Allingham, held the title for less
than a month. He gained it on June 19, 2009, on the death of Tomoji
Tanabe, who died at his home in southern Japan at the age of 113.
The new title holder, Americas Breuning, was
declared the oldest living retired railroader in the United States on
his 110th birthday, according to his biography in Wikipedia. The
governor of Montana and the city mayor attended his celebration. He is
the last known surviving man of 1896.
Wikipedia reports he worked fifty years for the
Great Northern Railroad and its successor companies. During his early
years, Breuning commented that he would have to hide from owner James J.
Hill, as Hill didn't want any railroad employees under age 18 -Breuning
began work in 1913 at age 17.
Having lived at the Rainbow Retirement and Assisted
Living Center in Great Falls, Montana for the last 30 years, Breuning is
reportedly in excellent health. He is able to walk, eats two meals a
day, and always wears a suit and tie, Wikipedia reports.
He still maintains a sharp mind and accurate
memory. In November 2007, at the age of 111, Breuning was fitted with
hearing aids.
On his 112th birthday, Breuning said the secret to
long life is being active: "(if) you keep your mind busy and keep your
body busy, you're going to be around a long time."
On February 16, 2009, Breuning made an appearance
on the News Hour with Jim Lehrer giving his views about the current
state of the economy and the newly elected president.
On April 24, 2009, Breuning was the focus of a
segment done by Steve Hartman's "Assignment America" on the CBS Evening
News.
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More at Wikipedia
Other links of interest at Wikipedia:
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List of living supercentenarians
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List of the verified oldest men
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Oldest people
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Supercentenarian
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Click here to Guinness report on the death of Tomoji Tanabe, June 19,
2009
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Click to Guinness report on the death of Henry Allingham (UK) July 18,
2009
