WWII Veteran and Longtime Railroad Employee Celebrates 100th Birthday

World War II veteran and longtime railroad employee, Walter Keefer, recently celebrated his 100th birthday at Rockland Place in Wilmington. Surrounded by friends and family, Walter shared his incredible life stories and the secret to his longevity: “Work hard, but make time for adventure.”

As a resident of Rockland Place, a Watermark Retirement Community, Walter continues an active lifestyle. He especially enjoys interacting with the youngest visitors to the community. “The one thing that Walter really got a kick out of was when little kids visited residents dressed up as what they wanted to be when they grew up. They were talking to the residents here about their career ambitions and the residents’ past careers, and Walter just loved that,” said Louise Keefer, Walter’s daughter-in-law.

Walter also loves all Philadelphia sports teams and likely wished for a championship – or two - when blowing out his candles this year.

Walter dedicated 40 plus years to the Pennsylvania Railroad and Amtrak. Working on the railroad was a Keefer family tradition, with family members logging 110 years of combined service. Walter’s specific duties included running the electric in tunnels heading from New York to New Jersey and contributing to the Pennsylvania railroad tunnels that led to New York. Walter also served in World War II, working on and repairing searchlights to help prevent enemies from attacking at night.

In his leisure time, Walter traveled by car with his late wife, Claire, to every U.S. state, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii. He also spent much of his time – and continues to do so today – as a devoted father and grandfather.

Walter’s son, Walter Keefer Jr., and his wife, Louise, took part in Walter’s 100th birthday festivities with their son and Walter’s grandson, Mike Keefer. They represented a fraction of Walter’s family, which is comprised of Walter’s three grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. “He is a devoted family man and has always been generous, caring and kind,” said Walter Keefer Jr. of his father.

ABOUT ROCKLAND PLACE

Located at 1519 Rockland Road, Rockland Place retirement community of Wilmington, Del., serves up to 95 residents, with levels of care that includes Assisted Living and two levels of Memory Care. Rockland Place is managed by Watermark Retirement Communities. For more information, visit www.watermarkcommunities.com/RocklandPlace or call 302-565-4160.

ABOUT WATERMARK RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES INC.

In 2016, Watermark Retirement Communities Inc. was ranked 16th in the nation by the American Seniors Housing Association. Watermark’s commitment to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive dates back 30 years. Watermark manages 50 retirement communities coast to coast. Visit www.watermarkcommunities.com for more information.

Photo Caption: Walter Keefer (front left) celebrated his 100th birthday at Rockland Place with his grandson Mike Keefer (front right), son Walter Keefer Jr. (back left), and daughter-in-law Louise Keefer (back right).