1. Walter Breuning was an American supercentenarian who lived for 114 years and 205 days and was, up to the time of his death, the oldest living man in the world and the third-oldest verified man ever, behind Christian Mortensen and Emiliano Mercado del Toro.
Walter Breuning was the son of John and Cora Breuning, and had two brothers and two sisters.
Walter Breuning's only surviving family at the time of his death were 1 niece and 3 nephews, plus great-nieces and great-nephews.
In 1910, aged 14, Walter Breuning dropped out of school and began scraping bakery pans for $2.50 weekly.
Walter Breuning moved to Montana in 1918, where he continued working as a clerk for the Great Northern Railway.
Walter Breuning was married to her from 1922 until her death in 1957.
Walter Breuning was a Freemason, and a member of Great Falls Lodge No 118, Great Falls, Montana, for over 85 years.
Walter Breuning held the 33rd Degree of the Scottish Rite.
Walter Breuning lived at the Rainbow Retirement and Assisted Living Center in Great Falls, Montana, for 32 years, moving in when it was The Rainbow Hotel in 1979 when he was 83.
Walter Breuning was a lifelong cigar smoker, but said in an interview at age 110 that he quit in 1999, when he was 103, saying they had become too expensive.
On his 110th birthday, in September 2006, Walter Breuning was declared the oldest living retired railroader in the United States.
On February 16,2009, Walter Breuning made an appearance on the News Hour with Jim Lehrer, giving his views about the current state of the economy and the newly elected president, Barack Obama.
Walter Breuning said that the first president he ever voted for was Woodrow Wilson, and that the most memorable news item he ever heard about in his life was the Wall Street Crash of 1929.
Walter Breuning was present at the dedication of the new line, which serves the Signal Peak Mine, on September 2,2009.
On February 25,2010, Walter Breuning was honored by Montana Ambassadors for shining a spotlight on the state of Montana.
In 1960, age 64, Walter Breuning was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Walter Breuning did not have any other health issues until he broke his hip aged 108.
Walter Breuning spent eight days in the hospital and was totally healed in 21 days.
In November 2007, aged 111, Walter Breuning was fitted with hearing aids.
The week before his 113th birthday, in September 2009, Walter Breuning fell and bruised his scalp, but was otherwise unhurt.
Walter Breuning was in excellent health, walking unaided and refusing to use the elevator to reach his second floor apartment until he broke his hip.
Walter Breuning began to slow down physically in his last year, requiring first a walker and then a motor scooter to get around, although his mental state was undiminished to the end.
Shortly after his wife died, Walter Breuning started eating out at restaurants.
Walter Breuning ate a big breakfast and a hearty lunch but skipped an evening meal, snacking on fruit instead.
Walter Breuning drank much water through the day plus a cup-and-a-half of coffee with breakfast and one cup with lunch.
Walter Breuning then took a stroll around The Rainbow for exercise and could then be found sitting in the lobby chatting with fellow residents and his many visitors.
Walter Breuning would retire to his room in mid-afternoon to listen to radio and when his vision allowed him, read the newspaper and his many letters received from people from all over the world.
For years Walter Breuning took a baby aspirin every day, but he eventually gave that up, stating that he did not need it; from there on he took no medication.
Walter Breuning believed another key to his longevity was keeping his mind and body active.
On March 31,2011, Walter Breuning was hospitalized in Great Falls for an unspecified illness.
At the time of his death, Walter Breuning was the third-oldest living person in the world as well as the second-oldest living American, behind Besse Cooper, and the oldest living man.
Walter Breuning was succeeded as the world's oldest living man by fellow 114-year old Horacio Celi Mendoza of Peru.
Walter Breuning was succeeded as North America's oldest living man by 113-year-old Mauro Ambriz Tapia of Mexico, who himself died just four days later.