World’s oldest man credits eating moderately, being nice

July 21, 2009|Associated Press

GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Walter Breuning learned to read by kerosene lantern, remembers his grandfather telling him about fighting in the Civil War, and cast his first presidential ballot for Woodrow Wilson.

The 112-year-old resident of Great Falls, Mont., apparently became the world’s oldest man when 113-year-old Henry Allingham of England died Saturday. Breuning was born Sept. 21, 1896.

Now living at the Rainbow Retirement Home, Breuning takes one aspirin and eats two meals a day. He strolls the halls wearing a suit and tie and still walks the ramps to his second-floor apartment.

Breuning said he’s more grateful for his health than he is for a world title.

“If you’re in good health, you’ve got everything there is,’’ he told the Great Falls Tribune.

Longevity doesn’t run in Breuning’s family.

He said his father, a civil engineer, died at 50, and his mother, a housewife, at 46. Two brothers and two sisters died in their 70s, he said.

Breuning credits his longevity to keeping busy and practicing moderation.

His advice for living to a ripe old age? Stay active in body and mind, don’t eat too much, and be good to people.

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