Dr. Michael Heidelberger Challenges us to Think Bigger

Should we redefine the concept of aging? There are many who have told “old age” to wait.

Lynn Adler writes about Dr. Heidelberger, (considered to be the father of immunochemistry), in her book Centenarians: The Bonus Years. Wikipedia has the story of his entire life.

The Dr. had an unusual childhood with his father on the road as a traveling salesman six months out of the year. His mother home schooled him and his brother until he was twelve. She must have been an amazing mother to take on the responsibility of the home as well as the education of her children. She took them to concerts, made them speak German at the table, and had a nanny teach them French.

A big thinker Dr. Heidelberger was. He dreamed big dreams. He loved music (this is also a clue to long life). He had many obstacles, but always found ways around them. His dreams never faded. Long after the age that most people retire from working, he continued on. He loved his work.

Columbia University: “His role as consulting chemist in its Department of Medicine suited his generous temperament. The door to his office, which he likened to “42nd Street and Broadway” because of its traffic, was open for anyone, especially junior researchers, to stop by, discuss matters of science or politics, and seek his advice.” ~ Wikipedia.  (more clues).

His Personal Secret for Success

At 100, Dr. Heidelberger was still working. He had a daily exercise regimen of walking “in order to keep from becoming flabby and soft”, he said. He was on a low-fat diet and stuck to it.

At 75 the doctor began taking two buses and a several block brisk walk each day. Once he turned 100, his colleagues insisted he begin to take the taxi.

What was his personal secret for success? He encouraged everyone to develop interests in their earlier years outside of their work that can fulfill them in later years. As we view his long life (living to the age of 103), we are challenged to think bigger and to redefine the concept we have of again. How old is too old?

Another Secret Discovered

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