World-Famous Supercentarian, Walter Breuning, Anticipates 114th
Birthday
CHICAGO, Sep 14, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR) ("Ventas" or the "Company") said today that one
of its seniors housing communities has served as the home of Walter
Breuning, certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's
oldest living man at 113 years of age, for the last 30 years. Born
September 21, 1896, the American supercentarian who resides at The
Rainbow Senior Living in Great Falls, Montana will soon celebrate his 114th
birthday with a celebration at the community.
"We are so proud to have such a distinguished and wise gentleman as one
of our residents," Ventas Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer Debra A. Cafaro said. "Walter embodies so many wonderful
qualities and is generous with his time, perspective and wisdom to
others. He imparts upon all of us the benefits of living a good life."
Prior to the upcoming birthday celebration, Walter invited people from
around the world to pose questions to him. Many people responded, asking
questions ranging from the practical to just plain curious. Walter,
never shy to share his good thoughts, enjoyed reading and answering the
questions. His age and experience gives him a perspective on life not
shared by many others, and his answers are pure Walter.
Walter's Answers to His Top 5 List of
Favorite Questions
1.What is your advice to today's youth?
Stay in school and get as much education as possible, work as long as
you can (I worked until I was 99) and always help others...
2. What did you do for fun when you were young?
We made things up for ourselves to do.
3. What is your favorite music?
The music today is screeching. I liked Sinatra, the Rat Pack, and Bing
Crosby.
4. What was the first move you ever saw?
The first "talkie" that I saw was The Jazz Singer with Al Jolson.
When it came to Great Falls, there were lines around the corner to see
the movie.
5. What was your favorite decade?
I liked them all. There were good things in every decade.
Walter was born in Melrose, Minnesota to John and Cora Morehouse
Breuning. He attended school in De Smet, South Dakota until the age of
14, when he landed his first job scraping bakery pans for $2.50 a week.
In 1913, he joined the Great Northern Railway, where he worked for the
next 50 years. He married his wife, the late Agnes Breuning (née
Twokey), in 1922.
Dressed in a suit and tie each day, Walter remains in excellent health,
attributing his long life to eating well and keeping physically and
mentally active. He takes just one aspirin a day and is quite the
conversationalist with a sharp mind and accurate memory. His motto: "If
you keep your mind busy and keep your body busy, you're going to be
around a long time."
Ventas, Inc., an S&P 500 company, is a leading healthcare real estate
investment trust. Its diverse portfolio of approximately 600 assets in
44 states (including the District of Columbia) and two Canadian
provinces consists of seniors housing communities, skilled nursing
facilities, hospitals, medical office buildings and other properties.
Through its Lillibridge subsidiary, Ventas provides management, leasing,
marketing, facility development and advisory services to highly rated
hospitals and health systems throughout the United States. More
information about Ventas and Lillibridge can be found at www.ventasreit.com
and www.lillibridge.com.
SOURCE: Ventas, Inc.
Ventas, Inc.
David J. Smith, 877-4-VENTAS
or
Stacia Kirby, 206-363-1492
Stacia@speakeasy.net