BIOGRAPHY

Robert Wiener was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on 27 October 1908, the youngest of seven children.

After graduating from Baron Byng High School, he pursued higher education at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. He later attended McGill University, where he earned his dental degree in 1936, graduating as the faculty’s gold medalist. After graduating from McGill in 1936, he completed a fellowship at the Zoller Dental Clinic at the University of Chicago, where he spent about eight years, earning a master’s degree in pathology in 1945. During his time there, he had the opportunity to meet notable figures, including the novelist Thomas Mann and physicist Enrico Fermi. In addition to maintaining a private dental practice, Wiener dedicated more than 25 years to teaching at McGill University. He played a pivotal role in establishing the first dental clinic at the Jewish General Hospital, where he served as its director.

Wiener married Ella Levites in 1937, after meeting her in Montreal when she was still in high school. Wiener went on to study in Chicago, and recalled that communication was challenging in those days. One day, while visiting Montreal, he told Ella they needed to get married. She agreed, and soon moved back to Chicago with him. The couple had three children: two sons, Neil and Ken, and a daughter, Lois.

In his younger years, he was an athlete, playing intercollegiate hockey. He served as the goaltender for the Queen’s University hockey team in 1929 and 1930, and later enjoyed tennis and golf. He maintained an active lifestyle throughout his life. In the 1970s, he purchased a stationary bicycle from Eaton’s, which he used nearly every day until the end of his life. He adhered to a Mediterranean diet rich in fish, enhancing his meals with his own special blend of spices. As a centenarian, he took part in a research study funded by the Canadian Cancer Society.

Robert Wiener passed away in Montreal, on 17 February 2019, at the age of 110 years, 113 days. Wiener was survived by his sons, Neil and Ken, along with three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

His older brother, David Wiener (30 January 1902 – 20 December 2011), lived to the age of 109 years and 324 days, potentially making them the oldest brothers of all time, with a combined age of 220 years and 72 days. David also held the title of Canada’s oldest known living man from 14 March 2009, until his passing more than two years later.

On 19 June 2017, following the passing of 110-year-old Zoltan Sarosy, he became the oldest (known) living man in Canada.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Doctors look to ‘super seniors’ for clues to living cancer free” – Montreal Gazette, 18 March 2015

* “Celebrating a milestone: Canada’s oldest man turns 110” – Global News, 5 November 2018

* “Robert Wiener, Canada’s oldest man, dies at 110” – The Canadian Jewish News, 21 February 2019

* ‘What’s the fuss about?’ Canada’s oldest man dismissed hype over his longevity, says son – CBC, 22 February 2019

GALLERY