Gavin was born in St. Joseph, and has lived his entire life in Missouri -- except for four years that he spent in Kansas attending KU, and nine years in Nebraska as a college professor. He and his wife --both 89 years old -- were married in 1933, and have four children - two sons and two daughters. They also have fifteen grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

A normal day for Gavin usually consists of trying to get some exercise - mostly playing golf and walking. Lunch is usually at the senior center. (He and a friend started the center in 1976).

He was a church organist for 70 years. Just last summer he handed over the job to one of his former students.  He still plays the piano and organ frequently to keep his fingers in shape.

He is on the board of Youth Services Inc. (a national school for wayward boys), and also is a Rotarian.

He started teaching at a liberal arts college in Northwest Missouri, following completion of his Master's at KU, and taught there for 5 years. From there he went to Nebraska to teach at a state school. His subjects were always organ, piano, music theory and choir. Four years prior to his retirement, he returned to Nebraska to teach at another college. He "retired" at age 63, but continued to give private lessons in the surrounding area for the next several years.

Gavin and his wife have traveled to Europe twice, and the first trip was quite an extensive tour of Europe, Britain and Scotland. They have also been to Beirut, Lebanon and while there they also visited Jerusalem and Italy. They have been to all of the United States except Alaska.

When asked what makes him feel good about what he does, Gavin replied, "Having good enough health to do the things I do, because I feel that what I do is a service for others." He does admit, though, to yearning somewhat for his energy of younger years.

In 1976 the AAA in a nearby town was just starting to set up senior centers throughout northwestern Missouri. They approached Gavin and another local community activist about helping set one up in his hometown. The AAA furnished funds, equipment and training. Gavin and a female counterpart provided the "elbow grease" and recruitment. Gavin also started a development council for the local hospital, a foundation that raises funds for the hospital - and serves on their Board of Trustees.

"Tenacity" is the one word Gavin believes best describes him. "I like to get things done, and see them through and accomplished."

"My family," was Gavin's answer to a question of what means the most to him. "I have been fortunate enough to have had my wife spend 66 years with me so far; our children have done well; we have lovely grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I don't believe I could expect much more than that."

Asked to describe successful aging for others, Gavin replied quickly and solidly, "Keep busy, and don't watch TV for 10 hours a day. Keep active mentally, physically, morally, and spiritually, and you'll do all right."

"Maintaining a good physical appearance, looking younger than I actually am, and having a spirit about me that motivates others to try things," are the main reasons Gavin believes others might see him as a role model for successful aging. He believes that quite a bit of longevity is genetic, but "How you handle your life has a lot to do with it, also."

His method for coping with a problem: "Try to get the basic information about the situation, think it through, and then bring the solution to resolution." Instead of worrying when things are not going the way you'd like, Gavin advised, "First, try to make them go your way with changes. If that fails, there may be no answer. Turn it over to someone else or drop the problem. Worrying will not help."

He has had his share of physical problems, so he takes proper care of himself. When he is down, "I either play or listen to good music. That puts me back on top of the world." He is a classical musician. Although certainly an example of one who is aging successfully, Gavin denies having actually planned for old age. "I just didn't ever think of old age as something dreadful I had to prepare for." He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha (a music fraternity) and Phi Kappa Lambda (an honor society). He has been an active member of Rotary for 50 years.

Gavin returned to school at age 45 for his Ph.D. His emphasis was choral literature and conducting. He still directs the choir at his church. During the late 50s, he took the train to Chicago one week each month for two years, to study piano with Rudolph Ganz, an internationally known pianist.

During his employment years, most of Gavin's -- and his wife's -- friends were professionally associates. His greatest regret today is seeing the negative effect of modern popular music (rock, rap, country, etc.) on people. "A lot of it is harmful, and it's doing terrible things to people's minds," he stated.

When asked what he would do differently if he had another chance at life, Gavin replied thoughtfully, "I can't see that I'd change anything. The music that I studied and the music I play is the best there is, and I believe that's the best I could do."

Gavin's "words of wisdom" on about aging successfully: "Nothing will take the place of hard work -- no matter what you do. And, I believe the Rotary slogan , 'Service above self,' is good for everybody."

2001 UPDATE: Gavin and his wife are both 91 years of age now, and are still doing "very well, living in our home that we built 45 years ago." They have, he says, slowed down a little, but continue with their community activities, their church activities, and their social activities.

Two more great-grandchildren have been added to their family since we first talked with Gavin. He was expecting to be back on the golf course this summer, and he and his wife continue to walk a mile "most every day." Gavin closed his letter by saying ". . . we try to make our later years not only interesting to us, but hopefully helpful to others in our age group."