90-year-old trucker keeps going and going

[hillbilly frog]

90-year-old trucker keeps going and going
By Christina Salerno
Modesto Bee
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.22.2008
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OAKDALE, Calif. — At 90, Joe Rocha fondly remembers the days when truckers used flashlights to communicate, engines had to be cranked by hand, and it took 29 hours to drive from San Jose to El Centro in Southern California.

[Apostolic]

Thats amazing.
This guy makes me look like a teenager.
But the aches,and pains I've got over my long city driving trucking career are catching up with me.
Maybe if I was a road driver instead of finger printing freight,jumping up,and down in a day cab every working day.
I may feel like working a while longer?

A few more weeks and I'll be retired after working part time,and fultime since I was 8 years old.
I think its going to be a strange thing for awhile.
Although I've already got two part time truck driving offers.
I'll see what it like without working,and then probaly get something to do after that.

I still think this guy is amazing,as long as you like doing something and your healthy enough.
you may as well do what you want.

[JLKKLJ777]

Yup. I agree this guy is amzing and inspiring. If you can get paid to do something you love you need never "work" a day in your life!

Just my opinion here of course but in regard to trucking I think otr is where its at as far as job comfort and ease. I drive cross country on a round trip from Pa to Ca and back and its all drop and hook. This beats all the short runs and wasted time at docks thats for sure!

[tankertoter]

Last week there was a driver on the NYS thruway that just celebrated his 73rd birthday and was raising his granddaughter due to her father being killed in Iraq and her mother in the military. Hats off to the veteran drivers that keep on going!!!!!

[Alzado77]

God bless him! I hope too just make it too that age.

[JLKKLJ777]

Originally Posted by bigtruckerguy

God bless him! I hope too just make it too that age.

I agree, provided I am still sound of body and mind. I have no desire to linger on if I am unable to support myself.
If I have to take a dozen medications to make it through the day, or cannot remember who I am (or my family and friends), or are in constant pain due to an illness I would rather not be around.

I know this wasn't a thread about assisted suicide or death with dignity legislation but from my perspective I only want to live so long as I am healthy and productive. I have no desire to become a burden upon my family or society as a whole. I think the state of Oregon has gone so far as legalizing death with dignity legislation. Has anyone else heard of this?