One Of New Hampshire’s Oldest Veterans, Robert Payne, Turns 100 At Havenwood In Concord: Watch

CONCORD, NH — One of New Hampshire’s oldest veterans, a member of the Greatest Generation who fought in World War II in the Pacific theater, turned 100 in Concord on Tuesday.

Robert Payne’s 100th birthday was feted by members of his family and friends, as well as neighbors at Havenwood Heritage Heights, Concord’s mayor, Byron Champlin, and members of the Concord Police Department. Payne enjoyed cake — sans the 100 candles, as well as ice cream, and was offered well wishes by dozens of attendees. His daughter, Dianna Monahan, and son-in-law, Brian, were also at the event, as well as his wife, who is 97.

Payne served in the Pacific theater in World War II and flew 35 missions in various capacities, including as a tail gunner on a B-24J Liberator, with the 5th Air Force, the U.S. Army Air Corps, the 43rd Bomb Group, and the 403rd Bomb Squadron. He joined the military at 17 and a half, he said, and served until 10 days before his 20th birthday.

Payne said he was happy to finally be 100. But he said becoming a century old, “felt the same as I did yesterday,” although a lot less dangerous than his days as a teen in the military.

“I never got shot down … thankfully,” Payne said.

Payne said he gets up every morning at the same time, often before his wife, and takes a shower and eats breakfast. Usually, after breakfast, he takes a nap, then goes about the rest of the day.

“I have my moments,” Payne said. “I don’t feel like I’m going to die or anything. Most of the time, I’m like this.”

When asked about his secret to longevity, he said, simply, “I take care of myself.”

Sgt. Dan White of the Concord Police Department gave Payne two commemorative police department coins. Carl Notarangeli of the department’s community resources unit said he conducts meetings and events at Havenwood, and when he heard they were having a special event for him, he wanted the department to be involved.

“I think my generation forgets, all too often, that we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for (men like Payne),” he said.

Jane Poitras, the administrator at Havenwood, and the team put the festivities together for Payne and called it a great day for him. She said there were four people at the facility who were 100 years old or older.

According to Mayor Byron Champlin, the city council will draft a proclamation for Payne in the near future.

Happy birthday, Bob, and thank you, from a grateful nation.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story stated Payne was the oldest veteran in New Hampshire. According to the New Hampshire Veterans Home, there is at least one older veteran, Joe Mack, who turned 101 on July 19, 2025. The home does not know if Mack is the oldest veteran in the state without extensive research and he does not lay claim to the title.

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