The Amazing Ed Rondthaler
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- August
- 6
Ed is at it again!
I was channel surfing last night when, to my delight, Ed who lives in Croton, popped up on the TV screen. It was a commercial for Pearle Vision.
No big deal, perhaps. Except for one thing—Ed is 102 years old and still going strong.
Not only that, this is the SECOND commercial Ed has starred in. Last year, he was in a life insurance commercial, even though he admitted to me he doesn’t have insurance and, as a matter of fact, has done fine without it for many years, thank you. He does wear glasses, though.
What will he do next? He should have his own show.
More and more people are living past 100, but Ed is truly unique because he lives alone (he’s a widower) without any assistance and can still drive a car.
Ed is one of Westchester County’s true gems.
This entry was posted
on Monday, August 6th, 2007 at 12:41 pm by Phil Reisman.
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Phil Reisman is a veteran journalist and native of Westchester County. He began his career in 1977 as the head copy boy of a startup New York City newspaper that quickly went belly up. Reisman was not to blame for the newspaper's failure, or so he claims.
I have been lucky enough to know Mr. Rondthaler for all the years I have lived in Croton.
I saw him this morning on my way out to canoe the Croton River (in which Mr. Rondthaler inspired my interest). Simply seeing him makes me feel good.
My wife Joann and I lived in Croton between 1977 and 1991. We didn’t know Ed personally, but certainly knew of him ( an artist friend worked for Ed in the type design business at one time). We were surprised and delighted to see him pop up on the Perle Vision ad and learn that he was still going strong. Keep on going, Sir, inspiring us all.
If it is possible, I would like to meet Ed personally, if anyone knows how to forward this information to him. I would be interested in writing his history. I am Ron Turner, Auburn, WA (near Seattle). 253.632.2838. Regards, Ron
Ed’s in the book, I believe…call information at 914-555-1212.
My boyfriend and I saw Ed last year on a commercial either for life or investments, I don’t recall. I only remember Ed. Now we saw him on the Pearle Vision commercial. I had to drop a line to give him a big hug. I would love so much to read his stories on what he has seen in life. How interesting! We are in our early 50’s. My boyfiends father just past away at 91. He was one of the first to hit Omaha Beach. Out of 7 kids, nobody thought to document all of his stories. He was there for 5 years. He was there when war broke out. If Ed has written stories of his experiences in life, we would so much love to buy them. If he hasn’t..don’t let this century of first hand knowledge and experiences escape us all. Love, and best wishes to Ed. How wonderful it must be to know him. Thank you for this opportunity. Jackie
Jackie…here’s a story Ed once told me. I think I’ve got it right.
Anyway, when Ed was a young father in 1945, he took his little boys to Peekskill to watch the funeral train carrying FDR’s body up to Hyde Park.
To get a good look, they went to a high bluff overlooking the Hudson River and the railroad tracks that ran along the river banks.
There was no one else there, except a very old man. He told Ed that he too was there to honor the dead president.
Furthermore, he said, that when he was a little boy, perhaps the age of Ed’s yungest son, his father also brought him to the same spot on the bluff to witness a historic event—it was Lincoln’s funeral train. The year was 1865.
Phil, that was a wonderful story. That’s what I’m talking about. Stories like that touch people’s hearts. I got a chill just reading it. Why don’t you take up the task of documenting short stories from this very interesting and accomplished centurian. I know it would be on the Best Sellers list. This is the kind of thing people want. Real stories on real people. Heart warming, or heart breaking life experiences. This man has accomplished much in his life, and he has experienced more. Imagine…2 world war, a depression, all the inventions and inventors. Wyatt Earp (smile) the list is endless. Get going Phil..go and see Ed. Tell him how important he is to so many of us. Look at some of the trash getting published…If I Did It??? Disgusting beyond words. We are loosing our close family ties, and compassion in this country. We need more love in our hearts. We need to be reminded of the hard times, and struggles families worked out together. We have to remember why so many fought and died to keep us free. Gee, I could go on and on. Sorry Phil. Please try. Jackie