"Unless it's confirmed that you can no longer continue working, don't retire," he said. "Keep working until you can't anymore, and you'll find that it benefits you."
In 1963, Brouining retired and moved to a civilian organization. This "old railway man" had deep feelings for the industry he had fought in for half his life. His preferred mode of travel was by train, and he only took a flight once in his lifetime.
Brouining worked in the railway industry for 50 years, starting as a clerk and later getting promoted.
When talking about work, Brouining loved to tell a story: "An employee of the First National Bank retired at a young age because he wanted to fish and hunt too much. Two months later, he returned to the bank. After fishing and hunting, he wanted to come back to work."
In interviews before his passing, Brouining said that moderation in diet, persistence in work, embracing change, and willingness to help others were the secrets to longevity.
In previous interviews with the Associated Press, the old man was happy to share the secrets to his long life and did not avoid discussions about death. "We will all die. Some people fear death. Don't be afraid, since we are born, we will face death."
Born on September 21, 1896, Brouining was certified by Guinness World Records in 2009 as the oldest living man. The American Geriatrics Society recognized him as the second oldest person in the world, being born 26 days after the oldest person, Besse Cooper.
Walter Brouining married Agnes in the early 20th century, and they had a good relationship. Agnes passed away in 1957, and the elder never remarried. He did not have any children, and during his stay in the nursing home, his nieces and nephews occasionally visited him.
He remembered earning $90 a month in 1918, "which was a lot of money back then." At that time, World War I was still raging, and though he applied to join the army at over 20 years old, he was unsuccessful. "I didn't get to fight; the war ended too quickly."
Not Lonely
Loves Change
"Don't Retire"
The elder said that even if change is like "a blow to the head," it's not necessarily a bad thing. Everyone should embrace challenges with a more open mind. "From childhood, the various changes we've experienced have been beneficial to everyone. We used to have to write down everything with fountain pens and ink. The invention of machines (computers) has made life more convenient." (By Han Liang)
Before his passing, Brouining lived in a nursing home in Great Falls, Montana. Nursing home spokesperson Stacia Kirby said that after entering April, the elder became unwell and was hospitalized, passing away on the 14th due to "natural causes."
During the Great Depression in the United States in the 1920s and 30s, many railway workers lost their jobs. Relying on his seniority, Brouining kept his job but lived frugally. He and his wife once bought a small piece of land for $15, intending to build a house, but lacking funds, they sold it for $25. In subsequent years, he rented long-term and never owned property again.
Without family companionship, Brouining did not feel lonely. He said that the "old buddies" in the nursing home were his family. "We're a big family, often communicating with each other."
American grandfather Walter Brouining, who was recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest living man, passed away in Montana at the age of 114.
Brouining started working at 16, dedicating decades to railway services, retiring from a managerial position at a civilian organization at the age of 99. He embodied the philosophy of "living and working until old age."
In the 1970s, computer technology gradually became popular in the railway industry, reducing manpower needs and leaving many employees unemployed. Despite former colleagues losing their jobs, Brouining still firmly believed that change itself was not bad, and what mattered was how one responded to it.
"How many people in this country complain that they can't lose weight?" Brouining said, "I tell these people to control their diet and stick with it. You'll find yourself looking better and feeling great." He controlled his diet very strictly, eating only two meals a day.