Secrets to a 100-year lifespan from a former American university professor

At a hundred years old, Charley Pritchett regularly attends university, swims weekly, and exercises his mind to maintain mental clarity and physical resilience for many years.

Every year around this time, Charley Pritchett, driven by a desire to expand his knowledge, enrolls in courses at the University of West Florida. This university is conveniently located next to Azalea Trace, the retirement community where he lives. Pritchett expresses great enjoyment in learning and interacting with younger students, who, he notes, do not seem to mind that their classmate is 100 years old.

Pritchett was born and raised in Iowa. He joined the US Navy as a sailor in 1944, near the end of World War II, serving as a radio operator on voyages across the Pacific Ocean. After being discharged in 1946, he worked in radio broadcasting, collaborated with the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, served as an air traffic controller, magazine publisher, and university professor, according to Fox News.

Pritchett’s educational journey truly began after his official retirement when he and his late wife, Sheila, decided to move to Pensacola, Florida. There, upon learning that the state offered free university tuition to residents aged 60 and older, they both enrolled. To date, Pritchett has completed 51 courses and considers learning a core component of his longevity.

Charley Pritchett. Photo: Azalea Trace

Staying humble

To maintain his optimism and mental clarity at a hundred years old, humility is Pritchett's foremost principle. "I am twice the age of the professors there," Pritchett said, explaining that he is careful not to let that make him arrogant, nor does he boast about his past teaching career at the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University in Ohio.

He recounted six courses he took with a political science lecturer whom he greatly admired for his skillful guidance of students. Consequently, during discussions, Pritchett never dominated but always allowed his younger classmates to take the lead. He believes he is merely a visiting guest, while the younger students need the grades, so he lets them shine.

Ready to learn from scratch

Among all the courses he has taken, Pritchett cherishes most those he enrolled in with his late wife, particularly the "Women in the Islamic World" class, which helped them dispel many old prejudices. His wife, Sheila, was a talented former advertising professional who shared his passion for learning until she passed away three years ago due to complications from dementia.

Suppressing his grief, Pritchett continued his educational journey. Thanks to his previous experience as a sports broadcaster, he was completely captivated by a 13-week sports sociology course. Not only in the lecture hall, but he also constantly seeks new environments to be a "newcomer". At the retirement community, he started playing billiards a few months ago and happily admits he is the worst player in the group.

Actively building community

"I am just enjoying life now," Pritchett shared. For him, that means opening himself up to connect with those around him.

He has a 58-year-old friend with whom he shares many common interests and laughs, and he values his relationships with university professors and coaches. At the retirement community, he even formed his own band. After buying a trumpet for 25 USD at a pawn shop, he brushed up on his youthful skills and recruited 7 members. They once held a successful performance, but their activities gradually became sporadic.

"It is regrettable and understandable, of course; if we do not add new members, they gradually drop out due to old age," he lamented. The Covid-19 pandemic and a chipped tooth from playing the trumpet forced him to take a break, but he still hopes to reunite the band in the future.

Maintaining an active routine

Taking advantage of being right next to the university campus, Pritchett often uses its sports facilities. "There are countless available facilities here, it is wonderful. For example, I often go to the pool for aerobics," he stated.

Consistently, two times a week, for 45 minutes each session, he goes to the pool to exercise and always looks forward to his swimming time.

Living each day to the fullest

"The fact is, I am 100 years old," Pritchett said. He knows he has a genetic advantage, as his mother lived to 101, his maternal grandfather to 101, and his aunt passed away at 103. Nevertheless, he remains realistic: "How many more years do I have left? One or two years? I do not know. I simply enjoy every moment."

Whenever thoughts of death cross his mind, he tells himself: "It is true that I am getting very close to death, but then again, who is not?"

Instead of worrying, he chooses to live as fully as possible. "The important thing is to live each day well. I am happy with what I do. Although I am always busy, I enjoy it and hope for a few more years ahead," Pritchett shared.