8 to 5 at 85

Dr. FRANZ HALBERG

› AGE: 87

› OCCUPATION: A University of Minnesota professor of medicine since 1949, Halberg coined the term “circadian rhythm” and originated the science of chronobiology, the study of the body’s time structure and its effect on health. He also has documented that changes in solar wind patterns can be linked to human biological patterns, such as systolic blood pressure and the incidence of sudden cardiac death. Halberg’s work is a step toward recognizing that exclusive reliance on standard measurement to diagnose and manage hypertension is insufficient, because the time of day the measurement was made is a key factor that may contribute to false diagnoses.

› CURRENT FOCUS: “We’re trying to reach people to let them know that they can go to the Halberg Chronobiology Center at the U of M to take advantage of a free screening service for stroke and heart attack prevention.”

› WHY I’M STILL WORKING: “I enjoy learning from computer-implemented microscopy and telescopy in a time that yields new findings almost daily and may change a spot check–based health care system into one of continuous surveillance.”

› WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT WORKING AT 87 INSTEAD OF 57: “You have more fun. It keeps you going seven days a week.”

TOM SWAIN

› AGE: 85

› OCCUPATION: “I’ve just been elected mayor of Lilydale. The past mayor was 90 and he decided to give it up, and so I’m part of a youth movement.”

› BOARD COMMITMENTS: Swain is on the board of Friends of the St. Paul Public Library, Twin Cities Rise, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Minnesota. He’s also a member of the advisory committees for the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey Institute and is vice chair of the U of M Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Committee.

› WORK HISTORY: Swain has twice served as interim vice president of university relations at the U of M. He also served as national president of the University Alumni Association. He retired as executive vice president of the St. Paul Companies (now the Travelers Companies) in 1986. In 1991, he was coaxed back to work for a year as president and CEO of Bloomington-based State Fund Mutual Insurance Company. Later, Swain chaired the Minnesota Health Care Commission from its inception in 1992 through 1995.

› OTHER ACTIVITIES: “I still spend time with the Citizens League, and am taking classes every quarter at the University with OLLI. I subscribe heartily to lifelong learning and keeping your mind sharp.”

› WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT WORKING AT 85 INSTEAD OF 55: “Physical conditioning between 80 and 90 is not as robust, so you have to pace yourself.”

› WHAT I’D BE DOING IF I WASN’T WORKING: “I’d be falling apart. I don’t see much advantage in spending winters in Florida—I’d get bored after a couple weeks. There’s too much going on here in the way of opportunities.”

› REFLECTIONS ON RETIREMENT: “I guess if no offers had come after I left The St. Paul Companies, I would have realized I was over the hill, and that would have been disappointing. The fact that offers keep coming suggests that younger people feel I have something to offer and contribute. That’s stimulating. When they quit asking me, then I’ll know I’m about to fade away, but I’m not ready for that yet.”

› PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE: “You’re never too old to take risks. Better to wear out than to rust out.”