B次元官网网址

Skip to content

VIDEO: B.C. Senior, 101, takes first flying lesson

It was a birthday present for B次元官网网址榓dventurousB次元官网网址 Walter Martens

Walter Martens was told he would be picked up for a surprise gift, and when the car pulled into the parking lot of the Langley airport terminal building, he began to think it might have something to do with flying.

It was Saturday, Sept. 25, the day before the Abbotsford resident would celebrate his 101st birthday.

His son Harv had booked a flying lesson.

B次元官网网址淎t my age, I had a job crawling in [to the single engine plane],B次元官网网址 Martens told the Langley Advance Times, chuckling.

Up he went, with his great-grandson Jordan Penner recording the flight.

B次元官网网址淚t was a clear day,B次元官网网址 Martens recalled.

B次元官网网址淚 went over the mountains and saw all the rivers and lakes. I was excited.B次元官网网址

Daughter Eleanor Penner, a Langley resident, said her happy father exited the plane, calling the experience, B次元官网网址渢he best flight ever.B次元官网网址

At his birthday celebration Sunday, he was still B次元官网网址渇lying high,B次元官网网址 Eleanor remarked.

B次元官网网址淏oy! that was something else,B次元官网网址 Martens told the 45 friends and family who attended the event.

B次元官网网址淚t was unbelievable!B次元官网网址

An adventurous Walter Martens is seen at the controls of his first flying lesson, a 101st birthday present, from the Langley airport on Saturday, Sept. 25. (Special to Langley Advance Times)
An adventurous Walter Martens is seen at the controls of his first flying lesson, a 101st birthday present, from the Langley airport on Saturday, Sept. 25. (Special to Langley Advance Times)

It was far from the first adventure for the father of five, grandfather of nine, and great-grandfather of 12 (who is awaiting his 13th grandchild, due next month).

A building contractor who was able to retire early, Martens has enjoyed an active retirement.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 always been adventurous,B次元官网网址 Eleanor said.

Martens went parasailing in Thailand at the age of 68.

He enjoyed water skiing until he was 80, and that year, his birthday gift was a hot air balloon ride.

On his 96th birthday, he went on an ultralight flight.

READ ALSO:

READ ALSO:

When he turned 97, his present was a helicopter flight over Agassiz and Harrison.

For his 98th birthday, Martens went on a float plane ride over Vancouver harbor and Howe Sound.

Martens adventures were interrupted in in March of 2019 when he was injured while crossing a street.

B次元官网网址淢y dad rode his bike around Mill Lake daily for several years,B次元官网网址 Eleanor recounted.

B次元官网网址淯nfortunately, he was hit by a car while in a crosswalk. He made the headlines of the Abbotsford newspaper! Thankfully he has recovered enough to enjoy life again, at a little slower pace.B次元官网网址

Asked what he thought his 102nd birthday present should be, Martens laughed, then said probably B次元官网网址渟omething smaller.B次元官网网址


Have a story tip? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
Like us on and follow us on .


Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, IB次元官网网址檓 the guy youB次元官网网址檒l often see out at community events and happenings around town.
Read more



(or

B次元官网网址

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }