adminThe Rhodesia Herald,
March 11, 1978
THE secret of a long life was never to retire and keep the mind and body busy, said Colonel Ernest Loftus, who at 94, intends to take his own advice by applying to the University of Rhodesia to do a thesis for a Master of Philosophy degree.
Colonel Loftus, who already has two degrees – an MA (Econ), Trinity College, Dublin, and a BSc London University – said that if accepted by the University, he would present a thesis on either history or education.
If accepted he may find himself in the Guinness Book of African Records for the third time. He holds the records for the oldest civil servant in the world and the longest-serving schoolmaster – he retired at the age of 91.
He said the history thesis would be on the history of Barking Abbey, based on research he did on his book on Barking Abbey printed in the 1930s when he retired from his headmastership of Barking Abbey School.
His educational thesis would be about determining curricula. He said his ideas on this subject were original and he had already written several articles on them.
He had applied to do a thesis because “I have a lot of time on my hands and need to keep my mind occupied”.
His pastimes now are writing his memoirs and a book on family history. He hopes to have the memoirs finished by the end of the year although if accepted by the university, he will not let them interfere with his academic activities.
Colonel Loftus also takes two walks a day to keep fit “because I can’t run and jump”?
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Learning is a never-ending process because there are always new issues to learn about. It is only an individual that can determine when they should stop learning.
A healthy mind is key to a healthy body. Education is a good way of sharpening the mind.
When one retires, they need to keep their mind and body occupied. In some cases when people retire their health deteriorates rapidly because of failure to fill the vacuum created by their retirement.
Online Reporter