Dwight Hauff started working in 1926, and today, 79 years later,
he still makes it to the office on a daily basis at the age of 100.
Hauff’s employment tenure garnered national recognition this fall when
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) grantee Experience
Works named him “America’s Oldest Worker” as part of the organization’s
2005 Prime Time Awards.
“It has been a pleasure to work as long as I have,” said Dwight Hauff.
“I plan to go on living, and definitely keep working.”
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Dwight Hauff of Sioux City, Iowa, was named
“America’s Oldest Worker” at the 2005 Prime Time
Awards hosted by Experience Works, a SCSEP
grantee. Hauff is 100 years old.
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Born January 23, 1905, Hauff has worked in the sporting goods industry
for 73 years, opening his first store in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1933 at the
height of The Great Depression. Throughout his career as the owner of
Hauff Sporting Goods, he has seen many changes in the industry, from the
introduction and popularity of girl’s sports, to the use of man-made
fibers in sporting apparel and the movement of manufacturing to China
and Mexico. Some of the changes, such as improvements in football helmet
safety, Hauff personally helped shape through his 15-year service on the
National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment.
Hauff’s continuing dedication to his work can be seen through his drive
to remain active despite his age. “I enjoy working,” Hauff said. “I get
to the office about noon, one o’clock and I go home at about five o’clock.”
Despite the expansion of Hauff’s business across the Midwest, he has
maintained the company’s personal touch and operates under the principles
of quality, integrity and courtesy.
“He’s an excellent example for all of us,” said Gale Gibson, acting chief,
Division of Older Worker Programs, U.S. Department of Labor.
“He demonstrates to older people that they can be a benefit to the
community even as they grow older. He demonstrates to employers that
chronological age is not important.”
Since 1998, Experience Works, the largest grantee of the SCSEP program,
has hosted its annual Prime
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U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and Experience Works (EW)
representatives join in congratulating Mr. Hauff (center). (l to r: Gale
Gibson, acting chief of the Division of Older Worker Programs
(DOWP)/DOL; Connie Beck, communications director of DOWP/DOL;
Mr. Hauff, Lita Levine Kleger, manager of Senior Community Service
Programs/EW, Sally Boofer vice president for program operations/EW.
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Time Awards Program to recognize America’s senior workforce by presenting
awards for Outstanding Older Workers, Outstanding Employers of Older
Workers and America’s Oldest Worker.
Hauff, along with 52 outstanding older workers from every state,
the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, were honored during Experience
Work’s Prime Time Awards Week, September 26 to 29, 2005 in Washington, D.C.
About Experience Works
Established as Green Thumb in 1965, and renamed in 2002,
Experience Works is a national, nonprofit organization that offers
training, employment and community service opportunities for mature
workers.
Experience Works operates the largest SCSEP organization in
the nation, serving thousands of seniors, primarily in rural counties
in 38 states and Puerto Rico.
For more information about Experience Works, visit
www.experienceworks.org, call 1-866-EXP-WRKS or e-mail
info@experienceworks.org.
For more information about Experience Works’ Prime Time Awards visit
http://www.experienceworks.org/site/PageServer?pagename=PrimeTime_main
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