Instead of lifting hundreds of pounds like some of the members working out around him, Davis concentrates on increasing the strength and flexibility of his legs and thighs by performing numerous reps with 30-pound weights.
Those other men have nothing on Davis. Well, except bigger muscles.
Davis, who served during World War II and later graduated from Middletown High School, is celebrating his 100th birthday on Wednesday, though his family threw him a party last weekend when relatives were in town.
He was born on Sept. 11, 1924. Or 77 years before what we solemnly call 9/11.
“A bad day,” Davis said quietly while resting on the exercise equipment.
He’s considered a celebrity around Powerstation. as much for his dedication as for his age. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Davis drives his car into the Powerstation parking lot on South Dixie Highway before 8:30 a.m. and begins his regimented exercise routine.
Longtime Powerstation owner Mike Ferguson is one of Davis’ biggest supporters.
“I had hair when he started coming here,” said Ferguson, rubbing his bald head. “He’s a super, super nice guy.”
Davis said he exercises to keep his heart and lungs functioning properly and to improve his balance. He uses a cane because he knows even the simplest fall could be deadly at his age.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Plus, he said: “I enjoy the people.”
His secret to living a long life really isn’t a secret. He doesn’t smoke and he takes care of his body. For that, his body pays him back.
“Other than that I have been blessed,” Davis said. “I had no idea I would live this long. I just kept right on going. I have had a good life. It has worked out well for me.”
When Davis was a senior in 1943, he quit school, started working and was drafted into the U.S. Air Corps. He took pilot training and graduated in April 1945, one month before the war ended in Europe and five months before the Japanese surrendered.
He served 32 months, but never left the country. Lucky man, this Herb Davis.
After the war, Davis returned to Middletown and was given credit for his military service time. He graduated from MHS in 1946.
He was asked about the impact of WWII and being part of what’s considered the “Greatest Generation.”
He got quiet again.
“War is terrible,” he said. “Devastation every place you look and lives lost unnecessarily. We did what we had to do. Our country was so patriotic back then. It was a good time to live, though it was war time.”
Davis later worked for 25 years at Aeronca and retired from Armco Research Center in 1990 after 17 years. He just shook his head when he figured he retired 34 years ago.
“That just amazes me that I could be around that long,” he said.
Davis and his wife, Katie, were married for 66 years before she died seven years ago. They have three sons, Jim, who lives in Monroe, Tom, who lives in Lebanon, and Bill, who lives in Springfield, MO.
He wears glasses and hearing aids. He still drives but admits, “I don’t see very well.” The hearing aids help, but it’s difficult for him to carry on a conversation in a crowded room like church or a restaurant, he said.
Again, while resting, Davis was asked about turning 100, joining the other 101,000 centenarians this year, according to projections from the U.S. Census Bureau. The number of Americans ages 100 and older is projected to more than quadruple over the next three decades, to about 422,000 in 2054.
“It feels normal whatever normal is,” he said with a smile.
Normal isn’t lifting weights on the week of your 100th birthday. But that’s okay with him.
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