By Richard Ecke, Tribune Staff Writer
Known for pithy quotes and a sharp mind, Walter Breuning waxed philosophical Monday at his 113th birthday party in Great Falls. "The world is neither a prison nor a palace of ease," Breuning said in a birthday speech before Montana's governor, Masonic officials and other dignitaries and residents at Rainbow Retirement in downtown Great Falls. The retired railroad clerk said he believes life is intended "for instruction and discipline."
Breuning is considered the world's oldest man by the Guinness Book of World Records, said Robert Young of Atlanta, senior consultant for gerontology for the Guinness Book, Monday afternoon.
Guests extend birthday wishes to Walter Breuning on his 113th birthday party at Rainbow Retirement on Monday. Tribune Photo/Rion Sanders
"Definitely I think it's special for Mr. Breuning to reach this age," Young said. Nearly 100 people celebrated Breuning's birthday at the invitation-only event, attended by Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer. The governor showed up late, following several queries from Breuning on whether the governor had arrived. Schweitzer appeared, walked over to Breuning and presented the world's oldest man with a citation from the state of Montana. Schweitzer then sat down nearby. Moments later, Breuning asked, "No governor yet?" "No real governor," Schweitzer quipped. Someone hollered that Breuning has a hard time seeing people unless they stand directly in front of him. Schweitzer walked up to Breuning again, and made sure the centenarian knew he was there. Schweitzer pointed out he cannot run for a third term as governor, so "I'm throwing my weight behind Walter Breuning." The governor added Breuning believes, and most Montanans probably agree, that government should not spend more than it takes in. Breuning is a 33rd degree Mason, the most advanced level for the fraternal group, according to David Nielsen of Helena, statewide representative of the Scottish Rite. Breuning belongs to both the Shrine and Scottish Rite organizations in Great Falls. Fellow Scottish Rite member and auto dealer Robert Oakland announced a $10,000 check in honor of Breuning made out to the Scottish Rite's speech and language clinic in Great Falls. The clinic provides free speech services to area pre-school students. Tom Duffy, a member of Montana's Grand Lodge, presented Breuning with an official commemorative gavel from Potomac Lodge No. 5 of Masons in Washington, D.C., President George Washington's home Masonic group. "I don't know if you could count on two hands how many are ever handed out," said Duffy, who sat with more than a dozen Masonic officials. Recording the event Monday were regional media representatives and John Moore, a senior staff photographer who was shooting a series of feature photos of Breuning for New York-based Getty Images. Breuning also appeared Monday night on "The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric." "His memory is astounding, isn't it?" Couric asked. In Great Falls, Breuning prepared his birthday speech by hand, but offered numerous ad libs. At one point, he critiqued federal spending aimed at bringing the country out of recession. Breuning said the Great Depression of the 1930s was a lot worse. "There's no comparison, I'll tell you that," Breuning said. "They've got more money in circulation than they ever had in history." Earlier this month, Breuning took a similar tack with U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who called to chat about health care reform. "I gave him hell about giving free insurance to everyone," Breuning said Monday over a birthday lunch of liver and onions. Breuning added he was happy Baucus appeared to accept his advice, referring to the senator's latest proposal on health care. A Baucus spokesman, Ty Matsdorf, replied the senator favors quality and affordable health coverage for every Montanan through a combination of private and public plans. Schweitzer said Breuning clearly stays "spot on," with current events. Another departure by Breuning from prepared remarks was poignant, discussing a drawback to being 113. "I can't read," Breuning said. "I can't see anymore. That's one thing that I miss." Schweitzer noted Breuning still reads the Tribune through the free Montana Radio Reading Service. Breuning said he appreciates people stopping by to have photographs taken with him, and acknowledged receiving more than 100 letters and cards from all over the country congratulating him. Breuning's largely prepared speech offered homespun views on the importance of faith and hard work. "Life begins each morning, no matter whether we have succeeded or failed, or just muddled along," he said. Breuning said evidence of God can be seen everywhere, playing with children, in the clouds or flowers, or waving his hands in trees. Breuning urged people in the world to show more fellowship, forgiveness and gentleness. He commented that life is a school, and people should learn from it. Breuning, born in 1896, offered his words in a strong voice that was easy to hear. Breuning, who uses a wheeled walker to patrol the halls of the Rainbow, stood throughout the presentations, gripping the sides of the podium firmly. His cheerful attitude, and a remarkable set of memories, has endeared Breuning to many. "Just think, the people he's met," said Floreine Stout, a fellow Rainbow resident. In a message read at the party from U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., the congressman congratulated Breuning on a "very significant birthday." The crowd's birthday song serenade to Breuning sounded rich and surprisingly in tune, perhaps in part because of Miriam Tucker, another Rainbow resident. "I try to keep quiet but I just can't," Tucker said with a grin. "I like to sing." The youngest person at the birthday party was 10-year-old Matthew Nicol, attending his fourth birthday bash for Walter. "It's just kind of fun to come to it because it's history," said Nicol, whose grandfather, Duane Hedahl, has been a Shriner for more than half a century. In a telephone interview, Young said Breuning is considered the world's oldest man absent proof from anyone else. Guinness is checking into a report of a very old man in Thailand. And, Young added, "we have 12 women who are older than Walter." Duffy told Breuning Masonic officials planned to return in a year to help Breuning celebrate his 114th birthday. "OK, I'll be here," Breuning replied. [rc]
Tribune Projects Editor Eric Newhouse contributed to this report.
Richard Ecke recke@greatfallstribune.com
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