Britain's Bob Wheaton, who was named the world's oldest man by the Guinness Book of World Records, has died of cancer at the age of 112, his family has announced.
The former teacher and engineer was named the oldest man in the world in March, following the death of former Japanese title holder Chitetsu Watanabe.
Whiteton "died peacefully in his sleep" inside his home in Alton, Hamshair, southwest of London, his family said.
Bob Whiteon celebrated his last birthday on March 29 in quarantine due to the pandemic, for which he commented that "people are a bit upset." However, he refused to accept a greeting card from Queen Elizabeth, on the one hand because he had already sent him at least 10 in previous years and on the other hand because the exit would be borne by British taxpayers.
Bob Whiteon was born on March 29, 1908 in Yorkshire to a large family. He had six siblings and had three children, 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
"I think laughter is extremely important. "Most problems in the world are caused by people who take themselves too seriously," he said in an earlier interview with the BBC, saying that the secret to his longevity was to "avoid death".
"It is with great sadness that the Wheaton family announces the death of our beloved Bob Wheaton. A role model for all of us, he lived his life showing interest in every kind of person from all over the world.
He saw each other as his brother or sister and believed in loving and accepting and caring for one another. He had many, many friendships and read and talked about politics, theology, ecology and even more until his death. He also cared a lot about the environment.
The second bedroom in his apartment was a workshop, full of furniture, windmills and puzzles that he made and sold for charity, often from pieces of wood he picked up from the trash.
"We are so grateful that until the end Bob remained the witty, kind, experienced, conversationalist, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and we will miss him very much," his family said in a statement.
According to CNN.gr, Wheaton's title is being challenged by South African Freddie Blom, who claims to have closed 116 on May 8.
The oldest woman in the world is Kane Tanaka from Japan, who will turn 117 in June.
Source: politis
