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A view from age 90

I recently had my 90th birthday, and from this elderly perch there are some observations I want to share on the most important lessons I have learned about living a full and gratifying life.
[additional-authors]
August 19, 2015

I recently had my 90th birthday, and from this elderly perch there are some observations I want to share on the most important lessons I have learned about living a full and gratifying life.

I have tried to live by three rules:

• Live life as an adventure.

• Live with service.

• Live with love.

By adventure, I don’t mean only exciting travel, although I’ve been fortunate to have done plenty of that. I trekked three times in the Himalayas, visited the high Andes in Peru, bicycled all over the United States, Western Europe, Asia and South America. I ran a marathon, spent six weeks in a VW bus bouncing over East Africa, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Fuji, and so much more. 

It was particularly thrilling to have my family share in many of these outdoor adventures; to have taken separate trips with each of my three sons; and, most of all, to have my wife, Lois, with me over those many years, sharing the excitement, exhaustion and fascination of these experiences. 

But there were also nonphysical adventures, such as my work helping in the development and funding of the Gunther Depths of Space exhibit at the Griffith Observatory; discovering myself through years of therapy; and experiencing the anguish and joys of being a risk-taking entrepreneur, plus many others. 

At this point in my life, my 90-year-old body no longer allows for physical adventures, but I have so many wonderful, wonderful memories. Today, living with adventure can mean more of an awareness each day of the wonder and awe of being alive — of watching my children live their lives and my grandchildren grow, of continuing to read and learn, of sharing life with close friends. These can also be adventures.

Then there is living with service. I chaired my division in the United Jewish Appeal at age 28 — 62 years ago — and have been involved with Jewish activities in Los Angeles, on the national scene, and in many programs in Israel, including my years chairing Project Renewal in Jerusalem, ever since. 

That doesn’t count service in various sectors of the secular community, including creating a nationwide program for AARP, serving on commissions for the city and county of L.A., plus California state appointments, and being active in politics even before being named to Nixon’s enemies list more than 40 years ago.

Whether this commitment to service came from my Jewish genes or just from being an aware, caring human being, I don’t know. But it is always there as a part of my life. And I am grateful for that gift. 

Now, though, as with adventure, my aging body has imposed limitations. No more long travels and five-hour meetings for me.

But then there is love — and love is different.

With each passing year, it seems to grow wider in outreach and deeper in commitment. I feel fortunate that the girl I married is still the love of my life, that my sons have grown into responsible, contributing men, and we have three unique and charming grandchildren. 

And my love has only expanded as time has passed to include so much more in my life and so many people. That is why I am filled with gratitude at age 90, and I look forward with enthusiasm and wonder as I move toward 91. 

Richard Gunther is an entrepreneur and political and social activist. He is a member of Leo Baeck Temple and divides his time living in Century City and Santa Barbara.

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