Dr. Melvern Katzman is an amazing example of someone who is growing older with gusto and with a great sense of humor. He is a family man who cherishes his family connections, and has a revolving list of hobbies that keep him current and focused.

He has the can do it spirit that has navigated him throughout his 97 years!

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Super Ager & Super Helper: Dr. Katzman, 97, Solves My Tech Crisis!

Welcome to the show. We are continuing a series of episodes with people who are considered to be super-agers. Dr. Melvern Katzman, who lives in Toronto, is 97 years young and will be talking to us about what it takes to get to his age. Dr. Katzmann practiced optometry for 60 years, was actively involved in his professional organizations, his faith, and was a leader for Habitat for Humanity. Most recently, at age 97, he chaired his condo buildings 40th anniversary party. He is definitely growing older with Gusto. Let’s get started.

  

 

Welcome to the show, Dr. Katzman.

Thank you very much for having me.

Staying Vital At Any Age: Dr. Katzman’s Secret Sauce To Joyful Aging

I just have to tell my listeners, this is like so impressive before we even start the conversation. Dr. Katzman was having some trouble getting onto the podcast recording platform. He showed you effort like within a half hour, he did it all figure out, and here we are. I’m so impressed because I am a techno Neanderthal, and you’re 97 years old, and I couldn’t do what you did. I’m impressed. I wanted to ask you, people who come on our show or are selected because they’ve shown by example, their attitude towards growing older, and you’re growing older in a positive and productive way. What would you tell someone who’s maybe 50 years old what to do and how to grow older without being fearful of growing older?

Let’s say this. I really provided for my old age. I have many hobbies and I’m involved in the community, involved in my condo. When my time came to retire, I had plenty of things to do to keep my mind off being feared.

Tell us a little bit about what you did to stay vital all these years. What were some of your hobbies? I know you do genealogy, and check me out. That was pretty impressive, too.

I’m a stamp collector, a coin collector, involved with the condo, which I expanded into being involved with the federal government, the provincial government, and the municipal government. I’m quite active in the community.

What would you say to our readers that has given you the greatest strength as you navigate through life’s ups and downs?

I think I’d have to go back to my family, my mother, my father, my in-laws, and one uncle who is my mentor. They provided a lot to me. They were the ones who made Mel Katzman.

A Love Story & Lasting Connections: Family & Friends At 97

Dr. Katzman, tell our readers the wonderful story about how you met your wife.

Believe it or not, it was that mentor uncle who made a blind date. He once had a function. He saw my supposed next and my wife, and he said, “That would be a nice girl for Mel.” We made a date, but he didn’t realize her age. She was 17 and I was 24 and she wouldn’t refuse the date because of my uncle. When we saw each other, that was it.

Love at first sight, right? It’s amazing. Talk to our readers a little bit about the importance of creating and keeping a strong circle of friends.

There aren’t too many friends. There aren’t too many of my friends left. I seem to be the last one. What has happened?

Children learn by observing and copying the actions and habits of adults.

Throughout your life, I know you must have had a wide circle of friends.

I had a lot of friends. Most of them, believe it or not, were younger than my wife and I. From my synagogue was one source. We belong to many organizations, and my activities in the community have created a lot of friends.

Why do you think that you and your wife were drawn to younger people, or I should say, they were drawn to you?

Why? We both enjoyed life. We were a happy couple, and we met happy people.

That is very important. You mentioned having a lot of hobbies. I know you love genealogy. In stamp collecting, coin collecting, are there any other things that have given you great pleasure that’s ongoing even?

I think that my family has most people who want you to chat with them. They tell you that their family is very important. They contribute to your longevity. What is important to me besides I have a wonderful family, and I am needed. That is important to me. It’s amazing when the family, the love that they give, extends life in my family, and being chronically blessed. I couldn’t ask for more. They fulfill my needs with love. They also have given me something just as important, the feeling of being needed, which gives me a sense of purpose, belonging, and being important in our lives. I cannot go anywhere. They need me.

The Power Of Being Needed: Finding Purpose & Fulfillment In Later Life

I think that’s so amazing because you’re one of the first people on the podcast to really talk about that so important quality of being needed, and having a purpose in life. I know having a purpose in life is so important to growing older with Gusto. I know because your daughter reached out to me that obviously what everything you’re saying is absolutely 100% authentic. I just think it says a lot about you and the type of father you were and grandfather. Tell us a little bit about your family.

I have to bring in my wife. My wife is an exceptional person.

How long were you married?

69 years. What I have and what we gave to our children, I give it all to her. She brought up that we now have seven doctors in the family, two lawyers, one CP, and one who didn’t follow me, but took over one of my hobbies, which was construction, and he’s in the construction industry.

Tell us about your hobby in construction. You sent me a photo of a beautiful chair. Tell us about that.

It was weak. My wife and I used to go around to antique shows, and we picked up this old chair, and I loved Mackenzie-Child. Her type of art. I painted the chair in her style. I’ve done other pieces of furniture. I’ve made furniture for my children and grandchildren. Very interesting for my grandson’s Bar Mitzvah. I did the complete venue. He loved camping. I don’t know if of Algonquin Park. The whole venue was Algonquin Park.

 

 

Tell us a little bit more about what it looked like.

As you entered, there was a sign that you would like a highway sign made out of trees, and on it was his whole life. In other words, it’s where he came from and what he did. I made a large boat that was filled with candy. Each table which not numbered would have the lakes in Algonquin Park. I made passports. You need a passport to get into Algonquin Park.

That’s so cute. Very creative. What was the color scheme?

Outdoor green and white.

That’s amazing. Do you have any favorite sayings or philosophies for living the good life, which I know you do?

I have many sayings, and my grandchildren and my children know them all. They fit situations, but one of my favorite sayings is “Monkey see monkey do.” I believe that children learn by observing and copying the actions and habits. My wife and I have tried to educate by example.

I really like that. Lately, I’ve been reading a lot about what they call neuroplasticity of our brains, which basically they’re saying your brain can change at any age, and in order to keep it supple and keep it going, there are certain things you should do, and obviously, you’ve done those. I’d like you to share your wisdom with our readers and talk a little bit about what you think makes for a strong brain.

I just think that I gained active. As you can see, we have problems getting on. I didn’t give up.

You didn’t. You’re amazing. Right in the very beginning. It’s so amazing.

I played with it, and that’s my life. I won’t give up on anything. I can sit for days and take time to find something, that’s just my style.

That’s great. Thinking back on your lifetime, what have been some of the largest societal changes during your life so far?

Navigating The Digital World: Tech, Change, And Living In The Now

I think technology. I think that it’s affected every aspect of our lives. The internet, the smartphone, social media, and the way we were socialized to communicate. Just imagine if I had the ability to speak to my father, and I tell him that we’re talking, I see you, you see me, and it’s instantaneous. It’s just, I think that made a big change.

Are you on social media?

The key to a wonderful marriage is respect for one another.

Yes.

What are you on?

Facebook.

How about Instagram?

No.

We will post this on Facebook for sure so that you can see it. Aside from I will obviously email you everything. What do you think about robots and artificial intelligence?

That’s going to be a big problem. I sit and think since you brought it up when I was doing research work, let’s say 50 years ago, I would have to go to the library, pick out a book, sit and take a little piece out of the book to do my search, come back the next day, find another book. Just imagine I can get on the Internet and find information within seconds. I can write a research report within half an hour to an hour that it would take me days to do.

Pretty amazing. What has inspired you throughout your life? What’s been the most inspirational thing for you?

My wife.

What was her name?

Rene.

It’s such a lovely love story. It’s wonderful.

That was 69 years of an exceptional marriage. They say time heals. It isn’t a guarantee. It hasn’t worked for me.

  

  

I know. On a positive note, what would you give somebody getting married? A young couple getting married, what advice would you give them to have a wonderful life and marriage together?

Respect for one another.

How does one show respect within a marriage in your terms?

In my terms, it would be you’ve got to honor what she thinks, and she’ll honor what you think. Listen, in every family, there are hot discussions and arguments, but the nicest part is making up.

Any other words of wisdom for the secret sauce to living a joyful and wonderful life like the one you’re living? Anything else that you can impart to our readers?

I think that my friends, the very interesting as you asked about friends before, like I said, there are not too many of my friends left. As my children grew up, they gathered in our home, they slept over, and my children’s friends went on vacations with us. Now that I’m older, they have become my friends. Just this last Sunday, my daughter was away, my older daughter was on call, and I was invited by their friend for Sunday supper. We had a long discussion. It was just like being at home with my children. It’s important because if I didn’t have them, I would settle.

I also know that having a sense of humor is so important, and I know you have a wonderful sense of humor. I experienced your sense of humor when I asked if you were going to be free on certain dates, and you said, “Absolutely.” You gave me your whole schedule of being free from that day until the end of this year, anytime. It was so cute. Very funny. Anyway, I’m out of questions unless you want to say anything else. This has been wonderful hearing everything that you have to say. It’s so important and valuable when wonderful. I thank you.

I appreciate the opportunity, and thank you very much. By the way, if you need any help with your computer. Give me a phone call and I’ll help you.

I know who to call. That’s cute. Thank you so much for being on the show.

You’re more than welcome. Thank you.

You’re welcome. Readers, please tune in on any podcast platform. Please share this episode with your friends and family and send in a comment to our website at www.GrowingOlderWithGusto.com. Remember to always stay calm and stay connected.

   

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