The Hall of FAME recognizes retirees whose lives exemplify Total Health:
- Fit – physically active, makes healthy food choices, avoids tobacco
- Alert – keeps up with current events, engages in mental exercise and/or learning opportunities
- Mobile – self-sufficient, uses available resources to live independently
- Engaged – socially active, participates in group activities, volunteers in the community
Each month we will feature a retiree who has shared with us his or her stories about their FAME lifestyle. These retirees teach all of us that it is possible to be "Engaged in Good Health" and enjoy the benefits. If you know a retiree (even yourself!) who exemplifies total health, please write a short article (400 words or less) describing their "Total Health" achievements and lifestyle, and e-mail it to LSosebee@dow.com. Please include your contact information and the contact information of the retiree described in the article.
Bill Hegmann, Jr.
January 23, 2012
When Bill Hegmann was diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD) in his right calf, he took his doctor's advice and began a walking program. He improved his diet, and his cardiologist prescribed medication. A year and a half later, he is as active as he wants to be with no calf pain.
Doug Taylor
January 5, 2012
Doug Taylor, a UCC retiree living in Connecticut, has always enjoyed being active. And he hasn't let a knee injury or a pacemaker slow him down! Here is his story...
Kelton Thomson
September 15, 2011
Kelton Thomson lives a Hall of FAME lifestyle through his volunteerism – FAME as in Fit, Alert, Mobile and Engaged. He works with two volunteer organizations dedicated to constructing and repairing homes for those in need – Habitat for Humanity and The Carpenter’s Hands.
George King
December 4, 2008
Updated: May 19, 2011
George King, a Dow Texas Operations retiree, is a great role model for health empowerment. Rather than take the passive approach to lowering his cholesterol, he decided to "take charge" by improving his diet and increasing his exercise program.
LaVerne Lippman
July 1, 2008
Updated: May 18, 2011
Being a caregiver is very demanding, both physically and mentally. The following letter, submitted in July 2008 by retiree Jack Lippman of Lake Jackson, Texas, highlights how important it is to keep yourself fit when you are caring for a loved one.
Dick Arnold
July 1, 2008
Updated: May 15, 2011
Dick Arnold retired from Union Carbide's Danbury site after almost 40 years of service at five locations in engineering, plant management, consulting and public affairs.
FIT- Dick cares for his wife of over 50 years, Sally, and has learned to cook healthy meals and perform other household chores that she faithfully did for him for so many years, in addition to managing medications and doctor appointments. He maintains their house and yard, visits the gym 2-3 times weekly to walk two miles and use the exercise equipment, and walks 18 holes of golf three days a week.
Ford Brown Sr
April 23, 2008
Updated: May 22, 2011
Ford Brown, Sr. retired from Dow's Texas Operations site in Freeport in 1982 after a total of 27 years of service as a pipe-fitter/welder. He joined Dow in 1940, but his time at Dow was interrupted when he enlisted in the Marines and served in World War II. These days, Mr. Brown, now 93 years of age, lives with his wife, Iva Nell, in East Texas. He walks a mile several days a week, over and around the hills in the beautiful Piney Woods. His doctor tells him he is the healthiest 90 year old they have ever examined!
Jim Riggs
April 10, 2008
Updated: May 19, 2011
Jim Riggs, a retiree of the Dow Hanging Rock Plant in Ironton, Ohio, is a terrific example of the FAME lifestyle of total health! Jim currently holds the record for most visits to the site's Health Center. Since retiring in 1992, he averages over 300 visits a year. In addition, he walks 18 holes of golf three times a week, weather permitting. He has been very fortunate healthwise and hasn't met his deductible since 1982 when he had back surgery, and is still at his high school weight. He quit smoking his infamous cigars in 1980. He and his wife take most of their meals in their home to help control cholesterol and blood pressure.
Wendell Dilling
February 4, 2008
Updated: May 21, 2011
Dow Retiree Wendell Dilling is Fit, Alert, Mobile, and Engaged. He exercises on alternate days, combining stretching, weight lifting, and a 3-7 mile run. He competes in the Michigan and National Senior Olympics in multiple track and field events, as well as 5K and 10K road races. At the state level he has won many gold, silver, and bronze medals and held two state records in his age group. In May 2011 he placed second and third in his age group (75-79) in the 10,000 meter and 5,000 meter road races respectively, and competed in eleven track and field events, winning eleven medals.
Dorothy Socie
November 16, 2007
Updated: May 20, 2011
Dorothy Socie, of Niagara Falls, widow of UCC retiree George Socie, attributes some of her good health to good genes. Her father, she says, lived to be 96 years old, had "just a few medical problems in later years" and "was just as sharp as ever up to his death."
Richard and Jean Rogers
October 18, 2007
Updated: May 14, 2011
Richard and Jean Rogers have been making the most of life since retiring from Union Carbide's Hydrogen Plant in Niagara Falls in 1990 after 38 years of service. Dick and Jean are in their early 80s and have been married for over 50 years!
Roy Morgan
October 12, 2007
Updated: June 1, 2011
When Roy Morgan, Associate Scientist in the Polyurethanes Group Texas Operations, retired in 2001 after nearly 40 years of work, he warned all of his co-workers – "You had better retire soon, because I'm going to use up all of the "FUN" as fast as I can!" He has certainly tried to do just that!!
