It’s never too late to follow your dreams or discover new ones. Take PERS retiree Robert (Bob) Smyth, for example, whose active retirement has included checking out the movie industry, starting a business and honing his computer skills.
Last fall, the 82-year-old e-mailed us in response to a call for input on our retirement packets and the retirement process.
“I retired in 1982 from the University of Washington’s Scientific Instrument Facility at age 57 with 25 years of service,” wrote Bob. He went on to tell us about some of the wonderful things he’s managed to accomplish since retiring.
“A friend and I signed up with a movie extra booking agent,” says Bob, “and got parts in The Three Fugitives, Fire Walk with Me (Twin Peaks), The War of the Roses, The Lame Duck, Fabulous Baker Boys, D.B. (Cooper documentary), Chips the War Dog, commercials (including one for NBC sports as a boxing referee!), and an Ivar’s clam ad.”
“Earning a little extra money on location, eating good food, and a chance to see stars up close was great fun,” he says. Then he happened to meet a Texas film producer who was “discussing a movie he was planning with a friend of mine. I asked him to keep me in mind for a small part.” Which was how, about a week later, he found out he’d won a speaking part in an adventure movie shot in Honduras called Dive Masters. “That was my last movie,” says Bob, “as my life was beginning to accelerate in other areas.”
After reading an article in the paper about Comet Falls near Mount Rainier, the Smyths hiked up to see them. “That was the spark that ignited the waterfall seeking in our lives,” he says. “The fun of hiking up to the falls, the thrill and anticipation when the sound of falling water is heard, then the first glimpse of falls—it has to be experienced. We have pretty well covered Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, Yosemite, Idaho and Yellowstone,” says Bob.
“Out of all the things I’ve engaged in since retirement, my greatest and most unending interest is the computer,” says Bob. His advice? “Take computer lessons. The whole world is accessible, with limitless opportunities to find hobbies and communicate with people with similar interests.” And, “for heaven’s sake start walking every day. It’s stimulating and vital to your well being.”
Now 83 years old, Mr. Smyth feels that “life holds thousands of things to do and learn. You kids better gear up for an exciting time ahead.”
Summer/Fall 2007