Celebrating Centenarians
Arlington County hosted a special event on June 28, 2017 honoring the community’s centenarians.
“Today is about honoring and celebrating Arlington residents who have reached their 100th birthday,” said Aging and Disability Services Division Chief Glenda Blake. “We want you to know how much your contributions to the community are appreciated and how your lives have touched us and inspired us.”
If you are a centenarian, or know someone who is, please contact Rachel Sparico to be included in future events. Arlington’s centenarians are:
Dowdell Lee Tillman – Worked at National Airport from 1950-1978, deacon and member of men’s choir at Macedonia Baptist Church, sold “the sweetest, best vegetables in the area on Four Mile Run in Shirlington.”
Martha Ann Miller — Worked as a math teacher at Stratford Junior High School in Arlington, the first public school in the state to integrate. Ms. Miller volunteered to have the integrating students in her seventh-grade math class. At the age of 100, Ms. Miller published her first book, The First Century: And Not Ready for the Rocking Chair Yet (2012).
Vera Punke — Managed a family gift shop, participated in bowling leagues, hosted fashion shows, and has always been an avid bridge player. She has been a highly successful businesswoman, community organizer, co-founder of the Woman’s Youth League of Rhode Island, and scout leader. She remains active, engaged, energetic and decisive in her community. She continues to live by her personal motto: “If I have helped ease one ache or pain, I have not lived in vain.”
Raymond Renola — Graduated from West Point and served as Lieutenant Colonel with the United States Army and as Commanding Officer, 375th Field Artillery Battalion. He fought in France and Germany during World War II, earned an MBA degree and continued to serve his country through appointments at the Pentagon, Fort Leavenworth, and Heidelberg, Germany. Mr. Renola met his wife, Lucille, in Arlington and they spent their years together playing tennis and golf, and traveling.
Clive Watson — Earned a Masters of Business Administration from George Washington University. He served with the Army Air Corps (now US Air Force) during World War II and attained rank of Lt. Colonel. He worked with the Veterans Administration in Utah, until he was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. Mr. Watson and his wife, Geraldine, have lived in Arlington since 1957, they have two children. Mr. Watson is an avid sailor and enjoys golf.
Hasso von Bredow — A native of Germany who served in his country’s cavalry until his medical discharge. He studied financial management at the University of Colorado. After Pearl Harbor, Mr. von Bredow, who was not yet an American citizen, was arrested and interned with other Germans and Italians in a Denver jail for two months. As a businessman, he traveled the United States, then spent 15 years with the Department of Commerce and the Export-Import Bank in Washington. He and his wife, Hortensia, a native of Columbia, have two sons and a daughter, and six grandchildren.
Eugene Kahn — Started an exercise regimen shortly after going to work at the Pentagon in 1961 — and is still exercising. His 90-minute lunch time swims at the Pentagon have been replaced with working out at a Ballston gym three days per week. He was married to his wife for 74 years and lives in Arlington.
Also recognized were Allan Matthews, Betty Etzell, Frances Brackett, and Florine Stewart.