Waldo McBurney
Encyclopedia
Ralph Waldo McBurney usually known as Waldo, was said to be the oldest worker in the United States
. Until a relatively short time before his death at age 106, he lived and worked as a beekeeper
in the city of Quinter
, Kansas
. Although he was born in Quinter and had lived in the Quinter area for many years, he had also lived near the Kansas cities of Sterling
and Beloit
. In his last years, he was recognized nationwide for his longevity.
, 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 still living. He suffered a heart attack
in 1994, but continued competing afterward. He died at the Gove County Medical Center in Quinter on July 8, 2009.
Although he himself was not a minister, both his father and his son Kenneth McBurney (still living) have been ministers in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America
, in which he was an elder. His father, too, was long-lived, being the oldest minister in the denomination at his death.
s for track and field
events for his age level. In 2004, he published an autobiography
entitled My First 100 Years. He credited his success partially to his age; as he said in his autobiography, "It is easy to earn gold medals when one has no competition in one's age group!" His continued competition at his age attracted the attention of gerontologists
.
television program Assignment America. He is also a past recipient of the "Hometown Health Hero" award given by the Governor of Kansas
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Until a relatively short time before his death at age 106, he lived and worked as a beekeeper
Beekeeper
A beekeeper is a person who keeps honey bees for the purposes of securing commodities such as honey, beeswax, pollen, royal jelly; pollinating fruits and vegetables; raising queens and bees for sale to other farmers; and/or for purposes satisfying natural scientific curiosity...
in the city of Quinter
Quinter, Kansas
Quinter is a city in Gove County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 918.-History:The city of Quinter is built at the location of an old railroad switching site called Melota. A town named Familton was built there in 1885, consisting originally of a two-story...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
. Although he was born in Quinter and had lived in the Quinter area for many years, he had also lived near the Kansas cities of Sterling
Sterling, Kansas
Sterling is a city in Rice County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,328. Sterling is home to Sterling College.- History :...
and Beloit
Beloit, Kansas
Beloit is a city in and the county seat of Mitchell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,835.- History :...
. In his last years, he was recognized nationwide for his longevity.
Personal life
He was the third of six children born to George R. and Mary B. (Huston) McBurney. After two years at Sterling CollegeSterling College (Kansas)
Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year liberal arts college located in Sterling, Kansas with a mission "to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith." The school is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and...
, he transferred to the Kansas State Agricultural College (now Kansas State University
Kansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
), 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 still living. He suffered a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in 1994, but continued competing afterward. He died at the Gove County Medical Center in Quinter on July 8, 2009.
Although he himself was not a minister, both his father and his son Kenneth McBurney (still living) have been ministers in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America
Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America
The Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America , a Christian church, is a small Presbyterian denomination with churches throughout the United States, in southeastern Canada, and in a small part of Japan. Its beliefs place it in the conservative wing of the Reformed family of Protestant churches...
, in which he was an elder. His father, too, was long-lived, being the oldest minister in the denomination at his death.
Sports
He holds multiple world recordWorld record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
s for track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
events for his age level. In 2004, he published an autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
entitled My First 100 Years. He credited his success partially to his age; as he said in his autobiography, "It is easy to earn gold medals when one has no competition in one's age group!" His continued competition at his age attracted the attention of gerontologists
Gerontology
Gerontology is the study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging...
.
Recognition
In October 2006, McBurney was recognized as the oldest worker in America by Experience Works. As a result, he was featured in newspapers nationwide and on the CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television program Assignment America. He is also a past recipient of the "Hometown Health Hero" award given by the Governor of Kansas
Governor of Kansas
The Governor of the State of Kansas is the head of state for the State of Kansas, United States. Under the Kansas Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Kansas executive branch, of the government of Kansas. The Governor is the...
.