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Professor is Young at Heart

Erdman Palmore proves you're only as old as you feel

Erdman Palmore, Professor emeritus, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Center for the Study of Aging, gets ready to ride his Honda Reflex scooter. Photo courtesy of Erdman Palmore.
Erdman Palmore, Professor emeritus, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Center for the Study of Aging, gets ready to ride his Honda Reflex scooter. Photo courtesy of Erdman Palmore.

Name: Erdman PalmorePosition: Professor emeritus, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Center for the Study of Aging and Human DevelopmentYears at Duke: 45

What I do at Duke: I mainly edit the Center's newsletter, but I also do some research and writing. I recently published a book called Older Can Be Bolder and was editor and contributor for the Encyclopedia of Ageism. Ageism has become my specialty, and I often said the third "ism" in our society after racism and sexism. Most people might not realize they're guilty of ageism when they tell jokes about old people or send birthday cards making fun of old age.

If I had $5 million, I would: Establish a foundation to combat ageism. I'd want to tighten laws against ageism and begin public education campaigns to make people aware of ageism.

My first ever job: Delivering newspapers when I was about 10 years old in a little town called Crewe, Virginia.

If someone wanted to start a conversation with me they should ask me about: Ageism. I enjoy talking about it because I've studied it for half my life, and now I'm beginning to experience what it's like to be older and have people joking about my old age. When I was in graduate school, one of my specialties was in racism. When I first came to Duke, I was teaching a course on race relations and as I began work at the Center for the Study of Aging, I was struck by how similar racism is to ageism. That's when I changed my focus from racism to studying ageism.

The best advice I ever received: Practice what you preach. That why I work hard to grow old gracefully.

What I love about Duke: I graduated from Duke in 1952 and what I enjoyed then I still enjoy today - the Duke Gardens, architecture and the general excellence of faculty and facilities.

When I'm not at work, I like to: I have a fitness routine where I ride my bike to the office one day do and pushups, sit-ups and knee bends other days. I'll do one thing a day and I've kept that routine for the last 30 years. This year on my 83rd birthday, I did 83 pushups, 83 sit-ups, 83 knee bends and rode 83 miles on my bike on different days. I feel fine and dandy like chocolate candy.

If I could have one superpower, it would be: To fly. Since I was a boy, I've always been fascinated with Superman and his ability to fly.

Something most people don't know about me: I was born in Japan in 1930. My parents were missionaries at the time and we stayed there until I was 6 years old because of the start of World War II. I've gone back a couple times and done research on aging in Japan. I published a book called Honorable Elders, which compares aging in Japan to other countries.

A Movie I like: Grapes of Wrath. It's such a gripping story about trying to survive in California. I enjoyed reading the book, too.