At 108, He Says a Positive Mind May Be His Greatest Secret

Beryl Dillman has lived through more than a century of change, and at 108, he still enjoys meeting people, singing his favourite songs and finding reasons to stay positive.

A Birthday Worth Celebrating

Dillman recently celebrated his 108th birthday at an assisted-living facility in Eugene, Oregon, surrounded by family, friends and staff.

Large blue balloons marked his age as guests gathered to celebrate. His family believes he may be the oldest living man in Oregon, although that status has not been formally established.

When asked about being more than 100 years old, Dillman offered a simple response: he likes it.

A Sharp Mind at 108

Dillman uses a walker, but his family says he remains mentally active. He enjoys reciting the alphabet backwards and singing songs when meeting new people.

“As long as I’ve got my good mind, I can meet people,” he said.

His daughter, Ruth Sturges, visits him regularly. She describes her father as cheerful, generous and someone who has always looked for solutions instead of dwelling on problems.

His Secret Is Surprisingly Simple

Dillman credits part of his longevity to the way he has lived. He says he has always been careful about what he eats and drinks and never developed a habit of drinking alcohol.

But his family believes his outlook on life may have been just as important.

Sturges said her father has maintained a positive attitude throughout his life and has rarely allowed obstacles to stop him from looking for a way forward.

A Family That Spans Generations

Dillman has two daughters, six grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

His newest great-grandchild, six-month-old Bella Rose Sturges, was also at his birthday celebration. Family members travelled from different parts of the Pacific Northwest to spend time with him.

One grandson drove for more than five hours to attend the celebration, saying the journey was worth it simply to spend a few hours with his grandfather.

More Than a Number

Dillman was born in Indiana in 1918, near the end of World War I. Over the course of his life, he worked as an educator and spent more than five decades as a principal and professor in California and Illinois.

Now, his life is also being documented as part of the New England Centenarian Study at Boston University, which researches people who have reached exceptional ages.

For Dillman, however, reaching 108 does not appear to be about chasing a record. His message is much simpler: stay curious, keep meeting people and look for something good in every stage of life.

Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB).