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,[1] he has also lived near the Kansas cities of Sterling[2] and Beloit.[3]
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Personal life
He 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]
Sports
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!"[9] His continued competition at his age has attracted the attention of gerontologists.[10]
Recognition
In 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]
References
- ^ McBurney, Charles and Beth. Reformed Presbyterian Ministers 1950-1993. Pittsburgh: Crown and Covenant, 1994, page 106.
- ^ McBurney, R. Waldo. My First 100 Years. Leewood: Leathers, 2004, page 4.
- ^ Smith, Alvin W. Covenanter Ministers 1930-1963. Pittsburgh: Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1964, page 119.
- ^ McBurney, Charles and Beth. Reformed Presbyterian Ministers 1950–1993. Pittsburgh: Crown and Covenant, 1994, page 105.
- ^ Quinter man keeping active lifestyle, The Hays Daily News, 2007-09-26. Accessed 2007-10-09.
- ^ McBurney, R. Waldo. My First 100 Years. Leewood: Leathers, 2004, pages 54-57.
- ^ McBurney, Charles and Beth. Reformed Presbyterian Ministers 1950-1993. Pittsburgh: Crown and Covenant, 1994, pages 105-106.
- ^ Minutes of Synod and Yearbook of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America 2005. Pittsburgh: Crown and Covenant, 2006, page 190.
- ^ McBurney, R. Waldo. My First 100 Years. Leewood: Leathers, 2004, pages 38-39.
- ^ Fackelmann, Kathleen. "The secrets to longevity", USA Today, 2004-02-22. Accessed 2007-08-20.
- ^ America's Oldest Worker for 2006 is 104-year-old Waldo McBurney, Experience Works, 2006. Accessed 2007-08-20.
- ^ Christoffersen, John. Retirement becoming old-fashioned to some, Evansville Courier-Press, 2007-08-15. Accessed 2007-08-20.
- ^ 'America's Oldest Worker' Has A Sweet Life, CBS, 2006-12-08. Accessed 2007-08-20.
- ^ Williams cited as a 'Hometown Health Hero', Augusta Gazette, 2007-10-05. Accessed 2007-10-09.
