“The Book of Charlie”: Wisdom from a centenarian neighbor

It was a typical Sunday in August 2007, in a suburb of Kansas Metropolis, when David Von Drehle noticed his new neighbor: “Charlie was within the drive carrying only a pair of swim trunks, and he is washing his girlfriend’s automobile,” he mentioned. “Large, muscular chest.”

Charlie, at the moment, was 102 years outdated.

Charles White III had already lived a few lifetimes, and nonetheless had quite a lot of street in entrance of him. In the meantime, Von Drehle and his younger household had simply moved from Washington, D.C. The 2 turned quick pals. “We might often sit in his den, and he’d inform me tales,” Von Drehle mentioned.

Tales that comprise a lot of Von Drehle’s new e book, “The E-book of Charlie,” printed by Simon & Schuster (a part of CBS’ father or mother firm, Paramount International). 

And sure, because the e book’s subtitle says, Charlie lived to be 109.

Burbank requested, “What are a few of these type of historic and in any other case wonderful issues about any person who lives to be 109?”

“He was born earlier than radio; by the top of his life he had an iPhone,” mentioned Von Drehle. “He lived from the times of horse-drawn carriages to see individuals on the Worldwide Area Station.”

White was born in 1905, in Galesburg, Illinois. The son of a pastor, his household relocated to Kansas Metropolis so his father may complement their earnings with a second job. However his father’s life ended tragically at simply 42. Von Drehle mentioned, “He actually described his childhood form of ending that day.”

So, at age eight, Charlie’s “grownup” life started. He constructed his personal radio to hearken to Kansas Metropolis’s jazz scene, after which taught himself saxophone. Finally he turned a health care provider, paying his method by way of school enjoying that sax. And for perspective, Charlie’s medical profession began earlier than penicillin. He went on to change into one of many first anesthesiologists in Kansas Metropolis.

He did not hold up his stethoscope till his nineties, a testomony to his wonderful potential to alter with the instances. Von Drehle mentioned, “I consider him as an excellent Stoic, classical thinker who emphasised the distinction between the issues now we have management over in our lives, and all the things else that is exterior of our management.”

Laurie White, one in all Charlie’s daughters, mentioned, “He was simply so extremely sensible, and he had a chilled impact. I may perhaps keep in mind one time he was mad at me. I imply, he was only a very calm, calm individual.”

Laurie was born when Charlie was already 52 years outdated. “He had a full head of white hair,” she mentioned. “And I keep in mind all people thought he was my grandfather.”

Laurie mentioned, regardless of being an older dad, Charlie was as vigorous as could possibly be, and would stay so for an astonishing variety of years. “He had a 1967 convertible Mustang, and within the summertime, he’d go to my oldest sister’s home virtually every single day. And he’d swim 100 laps. … He did it by way of his 90s and up, till he was in all probability 104.”

And that beloved ’67 Mustang? Laurie’s nonetheless received it.

Burbank requested, “Do you are feeling a connection to your dad whenever you’re driving this automobile?”

“I do, sure. And I’ve had attention-grabbing issues occur, like saxophone music will come on the radio – simply come on the radio. I am like, Oh, Dad!”

Oscar-winning actor Chris Cooper might not have gotten the prospect to trip in Charlie’s Mustang, however he did get to see the impact Charlie had on his beloved mom, Mary Ann Walton Cooper. “I feel Dr. Charlie added a complete lot to Mother’s final whereas right here,” he mentioned. “One of many facets of the nice relationship between Charlie and my mom was the laughter. At that late age, they have been simply having fun with life.”

Cooper grew up in Kansas Metropolis. His mom had been married with a household of her personal, earlier than being widowed, very like Charlie. The 2 discovered a particular love late in life. “Charlie helped my mother, , get out and get about,” mentioned Cooper.

“Although he was, , considerably older than her?”

“Considerably older, however nothing was going to cease him, man.”

In actual fact, it was Mary Ann’s automobile that Charlie was washing that fateful day David Von Drehle first noticed him.

Burbank requested, “What do you suppose he would have made from the truth that there’s now this e book, ‘The E-book of Charlie’?”

“I feel he’d be stunned that I realized as a lot about dwelling from him,” Von Drehle replied. “You’d ask him for his philosophy of life, and he would say, ‘Nicely, my mom all the time simply mentioned to us, do the best factor.’ Should you do the best factor, it takes in a complete raft of issues, see? It is so easy that it is so good!”

A life philosophy that Laurie determined to placed on that Mustang Charlie beloved a lot – and a legacy that rolls on to at the present time.

     For more information:

      Story produced by Aria Shavelson. Editor: Chad Cardin.

Extra