Richard Seely, 91, Proves Age is Nothing but a Number

Life began for Richard Seely in Fort Wayne in 1916, and it hasn't caught up to him just yet. For most of his life, he's been involved in sports one way or another. From early on in his life, he has been playing tennis, golf, racquetball, and handball. Even though he's 91 years old and battling prostate cancer, he still keeps himself very active. You will find Richard every Monday and Wednesday night taking his stair-stepping class at the YMCA on Barr Street.

His first and favorite sports he played while he was younger include tennis, handball and racquetball. He even learned to string his own racquets. He doesn't play tennis or racquetball much anymore because, "We used to play doubles, but I'm the last one that can swing a racket." Things slowed some after a heart surgery back in the late 1970's and he lost 40-pounds. He then started playing golf and that became his newest passion. His game "...hasn't been the same since I turned 80 or so." he says.

His interest in racquetball replaced handball when he learned that swinging a racquet is much easier on the hands than a hard ball. He also likes it better than tennis. He explained it this way: "In tennis, you have to chase the ball around. Where as in racquetball, the ball bounces right back to you because you're in a room."

Richard started out doing floor aerobics to keep in shape and active with instructor Jean Fry at the YWCA, but both have taken their workouts to the YMCA where they exercise stair aerobics. They've had an instructor/student relationship for over 16 years.

Between the choices of being an active senior and the alternative of setting around being a 'grumpy old man', "I'm much better off doing this (staying active)." he says. He tells me he sees seniors setting around when they could be out walking, running, or any number of other activities. Anything to keep moving.

Some notes of interest:

Today, Richard likes to watch football sometimes, but doesn't have a favorite team. He also spends lots of time taking pictures and learning about photography.

Richard didn't serve in World War II because of a deferment by General Electric. "After I graduated, they (G.E.) wouldn't touch me." He said laughing. "But, when I came back [to Fort Wayne] they grabbed me right away!" He didn't mind though, because he had more free time to play racquetball and tennis. He also worked on some of the first ever computer programs.

For most of his life, Richard worked for General Electric, where he's credited with the creation of several products and 23 patents.