Waldo McBurney

Ralph Waldo McBurney (October 3, 1902 — ), usually known as Waldo, is said to be the oldest worker in the United States. At age 105, 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, [McBurney, Charles and Beth. "Reformed Presbyterian Ministers 1950-1993". Pittsburgh: Crown and Covenant, 1994, page 106.] he has also lived near the Kansas cities of Sterling [McBurney, R. Waldo. "My First 100 Years". Leewood: Leathers, 2004, page 4.] and Beloit. [Smith, Alvin W. "Covenanter Ministers 1930-1963". Pittsburgh: Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1964, page 119.]

Personal life

He was the third of six children born to George R. and Mary B. (Huston) McBurney. [McBurney, Charles and Beth. "Reformed Presbyterian Ministers 1950–1993". Pittsburgh: Crown and Covenant, 1994, page 105.] 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. [ [http://www.hdnews.net/Story/waldo092607 Quinter man keeping active lifestyle] , "The Hays Daily News", 2007-09-26. Accessed 2007-10-09.] He suffered a heart attack in 1994, [McBurney, R. Waldo. "My First 100 Years". Leewood: Leathers, 2004, pages 54-57.] 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, [McBurney, Charles and Beth. "Reformed Presbyterian Ministers 1950-1993". Pittsburgh: Crown and Covenant, 1994, pages 105-106.] in which he is an elder. ["Minutes of Synod and Yearbook of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America 2005". Pittsburgh: Crown and Covenant, 2006, page 190.]

ports

He 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!" [McBurney, R. Waldo. "My First 100 Years". Leewood: Leathers, 2004, pages 38-39.] His continued competition at his age has attracted the attention of gerontologists. [Fackelmann, Kathleen. [http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-02-22-longevity-usat_x.htm "The secrets to longevity"] , "USA Today", 2004-02-22. Accessed 2007-08-20.]

Recognition

In October 2006, McBurney was recognized as the oldest worker in America by Experience Works. [ [http://www.experienceworks.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Primetime_2006_AOW America's Oldest Worker for 2006 is 104-year-old Waldo McBurney] , Experience Works, 2006. Accessed 2007-08-20.] As a result, he was featured in newspapers nationwide [Christoffersen, John. [http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/aug/15/retirement-becoming-old-fashioned-to-some Retirement becoming old-fashioned to some] , "Evansville Courier-Press", 2007-08-15. Accessed 2007-08-20.] and on the CBS television program "Assignment America". [ [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/08/assignment_america/main2243516.shtml 'America's Oldest Worker' Has A Sweet Life] , CBS, 2006-12-08. Accessed 2007-08-20.] He is also a past recipient of the "Hometown Health Hero" award given by the Governor of Kansas. [ [http://www.augustagazette.com/articles/2007/10/05/news/news06.txt Williams cited as a 'Hometown Health Hero'] , "Augusta Gazette", 2007-10-05. Accessed 2007-10-09.]

References