What community activities do you enjoy and how did you get involved?
Dr. Mark: I retired in 1990 and my wife retired in 1991. Since 1990 we've been involved in many non-profit organizations. In 1990, people knew I retired and asked me to participate in setting up a senior program for the Chinese community. So I helped organize the Cleveland Chinese Senior Citizens association. I was the President for four years. We recognized a need in the community and set up a luncheon program for them. It also gave seniors a chance to get together for recreation and general get togethers. We saw the value in a program like Benjamin Rose Senior Companion Program. Seniors need companions. They also need clothes, food and shelter. Clothes they don't have to worry about, but food and shelter are things that the community really needed.

So we established a food program where they get good nutrition for their diet and tried to find some sort of housing for them. We also went to The Cleveland Foundation and got a grant to serve other needs. We did a survey and found that the seniors really needed an upgrade to their housing. In 1992, we applied for a HUD grant to establish housing for the seniors. We addressed their requirements and in 1998, with everything complete, the building was fully occupied.

At the same time, I was President of the International Service Center, a United Way agency that provides support services to immigrants. I was asked to serve on the Ohio Supreme Court Commission on Racial Fairness. Meanwhile, I was part of a group that tried to establish a minority-owned bank, but we ran into many problems and it didn't happen. We are very involved at church and I serve as an elder there. All these things have kept us occupied, almost like a full-time job. It was a large commitment. There are a lot of needs out there.

Mrs. Mark: I volunteer at Benjamin Rose Library. I used to also volunteer at the Garden Center Library. I discovered golf, too. We have two grandchildren in California. We usually take them on vacation in the summertime. We went to China with our family last year. Hopefully, we will take a trip to Alaska next year.

Dr. Mark: Behind every man is a strong woman and she has helped support all the activities that we've done. I did not work at these non-profit activities alone.

What do you think about retirement now, compared to what you thought of it when you actually retired ten years ago?
Dr. Mark: well you know, one o f the key things you do when you retire is have more control over your free time. Boy, that's so far from the truth! (laughs). One of the things you do is that which you did not have time for during your professional career. We find, though, that because of all our activities, we have a tough time getting away to travel. It's only in the last two years that we've been able to travel according to our desires, but we would like to travel more. People think you're out of touch in retirement. Actually, I think that's untrue.

Mrs. Mark: When I was about to retire, I thought, "Oh, I can get up late, watch daytime soaps..." That lasted about two days. I get up early and do many activities. I can accommodate my schedule to do the things that I enjoy. It's great. Retirement is great. Life is good.

Now that you've been retired for almost 10 years, what will you look forward to next?
Mrs. Mark: For the next 10 years, if we can have our health, our attitude is still the same, we will enjoy life. It is something to look forward to doing. It's a good time.

Dr. Mark: We will probably still be involved in the community and provide leadership to younger people, pass on what we've learned.

How would you define successful aging?
Mrs. Mark: You have to have good health. Exercise, plan for retirement and save funds. Don't drink or smoke. Eat well. Be active physically and intellectually. Give something back to the community instead of thinking only of yourself. Sense of humor is important, too.

Dr. Mark: Truly, people are living longer and you need adequate finances to live. People--family and others--support you when you are growing up and getting educated. It is important to give back to the community when you arrive at that time in life when you can give something. That's what keeps you going sometimes. You know you can't do it all, but at least you can do something. Also, be committed to lifelong education.

What surprises you the most about the way our culture regards older people?
Dr. Mark: I think it's changed now. In the past when people retired, they didn't live as long as we can now. People look at 30 or 40 years of retirement today. Hopefully, as generations increase their level of education, there will be greater understanding of the value of all people in a community. Education is a great equalizer. You will find more and more people who are "retired" and more productive than ever. I would like to see the government raise the retirement age for Social Security.

Mrs. Mark: I didn't realize I was that old! (laughs) I don't feel any less respect from people because I am older. There is a woman who volunteers at the library. She is 90-something. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1926. She's there helping. I really admire her for that.

Benjamin Rose salutes the Marks as MythBusters and appreciates their participation!