Meet Reynolds Tomter

A Wisconsin native and Quartz Medicare Advantage member, Tomter talked to us about finding your spark every day as he celebrated his 107^th birthday.

This spring we visited with Reynolds Tomter. He is the oldest known living Merchant Marine in the U.S. – and one of the oldest residents of Wisconsin. When we talked, he was preparing for his upcoming “trip of a lifetime” in May. He was humbled to take an Honor Flight trip to Normandy, France, recognizing the 80^th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

Good things for those who wait

Drafted into the Merchant Marines in WWII, he served as a baker and a backup aerial gunner and made five trips across the rough waters of the Atlantic Ocean and to the Mediterranean theater.

The Merchant Marines had the highest percentage of casualties of any branch of the American armed services, “I know I was so lucky. I’ve been lucky all my life. I’ve been getting by. Aboard the ship, we had German torpedoes all over the place. And to get by – without having to jump overboard and trying to survive – I’ve been blessed. But I put my time in and did my job, that’s the only way I can say it.”

In 2015, Tomter received the first of the WWII medals he never knew he had coming. Five years later, the Congressional Gold Medal Act was signed into law and on August 8, 2022, Tomter received the WWII Congressional Gold Medal (replica) from U.S. Representative Ron Kind.

This May he traveled aboard the Honor Flight to Normandy to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of D-Day. He counts it as one of the top experiences of his life.

But what else can Tomter share about his secret to living well for over a century?

Focus on the positive

Tomter spreads positivity in the community and friends love his motto: Have a great day, unless you have other plans. “That’s my identity, I’ve been labeled with it,” he said.

When people ask this centenarian what keeps him going, he has one answer: his attitude. “It’s a lot of luck, I think, but I do think that my attitude has been good enough to kind of help me in my health and my daily living,” says Tomter.

Keep the good times coming

What does an average day look like for Tomter? For starters, he keeps his schedule full. “I have to get up early in the morning because I’m such a busy man – before you know it, it’s time for the evening news,” he chuckles.

After his morning cereal, it’s time for 7:30 a.m. coffee with friends at the local restaurant. “We have our morning sessions, and I call it the Board of Review,” he says. “We have a little bit of everything to talk about. But if I don’t show up for coffee, someone will come find me!”

“It’s not easy to get going every morning. I have to make myself do it. But I want to be with the guys and I’d hate to give up being with them. We know each other so well and I figure that’s one of my secrets – carrying on because I don’t want to be left out.”

Plus, Tomter still enjoys his morning cup of joe. “Maybe that’s my secret,” he chuckles. “I gotta say it like this, and it’s the truth. I’ve been drinking black coffee for 105 years. That’s the kind of break that’s breaking all records.”

Every day is an adventure

After decades of owning a local general store and participating in various civic groups, Tomter doesn’t let age slow him down. In addition to being the oldest person and veteran in his county, he’s also the only surviving charter member of the Pigeon Falls Firemen, the oldest surviving charter member of the Pigeon Falls Lions Club, the longest resident of the Trempealeau County Housing Authority, etc.

Tomter fills his days with friendship, activity, and a sense of wonder. “I have a lot of friends that they’re either stopping in or they’re picking me up. And we’re going to different places for different errands … sure, I have my plans when I have appointments and stuff, but … every day is an adventure.”

And when you’re 107, you know plenty of people to chat with. “I’m a people person so I go to a lot of the neighboring towns, and when I walk in, I usually see someone I know … and I have a good time reminiscing.”

“You know, it takes time to live, too, and I’m enjoying every bit of that. I’m lucky enough to feel good. So, I’m enjoying life. Time is flying, and year after year I feel like, well, this has got to be about it. Well, all of a sudden, it’s another birthday,” he says.

And that’s a life well-lived – packed to the brim with adventures big and small.