How often do you get to hear from someone who’s 102 years old, sharp as a tack, and still living life with passion and purpose? In this episode of Growing Older with Gusto, host Gail Zugerman sits down with Dr. Robert Farber, a retired neonatologist pediatrician from Toronto, Canada. Dr. Farber shares his secrets to a long, fulfilling life—filled with family, friendships, and a love for sports (and yes, he still plays a mean game of Bridge!). He reflects on decades of medical practice, the joys of watching his grandchildren thrive, and his thoughts on the ever-changing world.

Tune in for a heartwarming and inspiring conversation with Dr. Farber—proof that growing older with gusto is all about living with love, laughter, and resilience!

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Watch the episode here

   

Listen to the podcast here

   

Thriving At 102: Dr. Robert Farber’s Secrets To A Fulfilling Life
How To Grow Older With Gusto

I’m so excited because we have a very special guest on the show coming to us from Toronto, Canada. His name is Dr. Robert Farber. It’s a pleasure to welcome you to the show. He has so many things to talk about. Most importantly, as most of you readers know, we love to talk to people who are growing older in a positive productive way. Dr. Farber is an incredible example of somebody who was now 102 and sharp as a tack and interesting. I’m going to stop talking because we got to talk to talk to Dr. Farber about all his secrets on how he got to where he is. Welcome to the show, Dr. Farber. How are you doing? How are things in Toronto?

A little cool but bright. We’re terribly worried about Trump.

That could be a whole another episode. Tell me a little bit about what you like to do when you were growing up. What was like some of your favorite activities.

I’m a very big sports fan. I’m still a big sports fan now. I loved fishing. My elder son and I went all over Canada in Northwest Territory and caught some big fish.

What kind of fish? Is it Pike or salmon? What were you catching?

   

   

We’re catching mostly Pickerel. You call them Walleye. Big eye.

What’s the biggest fish you’ve ever caught?

I got a recording from the Minister of Fisheries in Manitoba. It was a 48 inches Pike. It’s an action release. You caught it and then you let it go.

One of the reasons that you were recommended to me to be on the show is, we love talking to people like you who are navigating through life in a way that is inspirational. I wanted to ask you, what would you tell someone who’s at midline about what they should be doing and enabling them to grow older without being afraid of being older? Is any advice you would give to them?

What will I advise them?

What did you do to reach your state?

Sit back and relax. You can’t do anything about faith.

What did you do to stay vital throughout your life? You said you like sports. Were you actively involved in a particular sport?

I’m 6 foot one and a half, so I played a little bit of college of basketball. I grew up in a small town in Canada in Brantford, Ontario. I could skate beautifully. As a matter of fact, one of my closest friends Sam Kennedy eventually became a Detroit Red Wings Star.

This is hockey. You played hockey?

I could play hockey.

Did you any other physical activities at midlife that you enjoyed?

Physical activity? Making love to my wife.

You don’t need anything to maintain a friendship. It just exists.

How long are you married?

65 years.

Dr. Farber’s Career As A Pediatrician

Congratulations. That’s quite a milestone. I know you’re a physician. What medicine did you practice?

I was a pediatrician. A child’s specialist.

Did you specialize in sleeping disorders with kids or anything special?

Yes, neonatal work, newborns. Worked with sick kids a little over for 35-40 years.

What is giving you the greatest strengths as you’ve moved through your life aside from being a doctor?

My family.

Family As His Greatest Strength And Joy

Tell me a little bit about your family.

I have three children, two boys and a girl. I have four granddaughters. They are married to four beautiful people. I have six great grandchildren. The oldest is now in the University. I can’t get over how I cherish them so much.

Do they live nearby?

They all live in Toronto except my eldest son who is a lawyer in New York. He practices theater law.

That’s how I was giving your name through your son. He thought you would enjoy being on the show. Let’s chat a little bit about friendships. I know family is important, but I’ve been told and other people I’ve talked to, as you grow older it’s important to maintain relationships with other people and to be in touch with other people. How do you feel about that? Would you agree?

   

  

We had two other couples that we were extremely close to. Unfortunately, 3 of the 4 have passed away and there’s only one living. I speak to her about every couple week and we say hello. She always invites me over for a false steak’s supper.

What does that mean? She lurs you over with the promise of a steak supper then she gives you chicken?

She says that, “I’m going to make you a steak supper.”

That’s nice. Any tips for people as they grow older on how to maintain friendships?

You don’t need anything to maintain a friendship. It just exist. My best friend was named Billy Clairfield. His wife was very beautiful and very good friends with my wife. There is a Dr. Buckman, who was a dentist. He ruined all my teeth, but we were great friends. We had other friends but not as close as this. My wife spokes to her friends almost every day.

That is nice. That is special. What would you say is giving you the greatest pleasure that you still derived pleasure from? Anything that you can think of?

My grandchildren. I adore them. I worry about them a lot but they are all doing well.

I’m sure you’re a good role model. Do you have any favorite sayings or philosophy on living a good life?

Not really. Enjoy every day.

Let me ask you this, if you were given a pill and you woke up, you were 30 years younger than you are. What would you do differently?

I would certainly go fishing. My son is going up to Alaska and I would certainly be going with him.

Thinking back during your lifetime, what have been the greatest changes in society in your life time?

Electronics by all means.

Financially, I’m stable, but I worry a little bit about my health, but what the heck? I’m 102.

How do you feel about those changes?

They’re good. Excellent. When my kids go away on vacation, I can Skype them every day. I can’t believe that.

It is pretty nice. Isn’t it?

Excellent.

What is been most inspirational to you throughout your life?

My work. I enjoyed every single day.

How did you decide to go into that specialty?

I had a problem with my eyes. Originally, I wanted to be an obstetrician and gynecologist but my eyes wouldn’t allow me. I did an internship at Sick Kids Hospital and I fell in love with it.

His “Secret Sauce” To A Joyful Life

That’s nice story. What can you tell our readers, I would call this your secret sauce to living a joyful and juicy life like you’ve had? What’s your secret to being 102, thriving, and having a good life?

Being financially stable and having the greatest kids and grandchildren in all my life that anyone could have and loving sports.

What do you do now? What do you do to keep yourself busy since you retired?

I play bridge. I play well. I watch sports. I watch every leaf game and every baseball game. I fight with my caregiver.

What do you fight about? She seems very nice.

She says I don’t listen to her enough. I said I listen to her too much. She’s a very nice person.

   

   

Is there anything else you want to talk about with me? Is there any questions that I haven’t been asking you?

No. I’m giving you the essence of my life. My wife is unbelievable. My family, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Financially, I’m stable and I worry a little bit about my health but what the hell, I’m 102.

You seem pretty good to me. How are things in Toronto? You said you had a few concerns about the new administration. Do you want to talk about that at all?

He’s made a mistake. We talked about friends before. Canada was a good friend of the United States. A very good friend and he’s destroyed that forever.

The people in Toronto that you talk to agree with you about this situation.

We never join in it. We love you and that people in the states. We love United States, but we never become a 40-50 first state. Never.

I love it. You got great spirit. Dr. Farber, I’m out of questions. I want to thank you so much for talking to me. It’s been my pleasure to have on the show. You’ve been a great guest. For all you readers, please share this episode with all your friends and family. This is a treat. How often do we get to speak with somebody who’s 102, thriving and vital? It’s been wonderful.

How about saying, next year, same time, same place?

I do. Next year, same place, same time. You’re on. You got it. Thank you so much.

Thank you for having me.

Sure. Bye-bye.