Local couple featured in national magazine

Bob and Rita Redman pose in front of the largest garden pond in the couple's back yard. Rita said the pond, along with four more on the property, keeps her busy since she and Bob retired from the photography business.

Staff photo by George Anderson

Bob and Rita Redman, of Kennett, were published in the July 2009 issue of Humana Active Outlook, discussing how they stay busy after retiring from the photography business in 2002.

Rita said she and Bob got involved with the magazine after joining the Humana Health Club.

"We got our first issue of the magazine and it said if you have anything of interest in what you do after retirement, send us a note with your story," Rita said.

After reading the first issue, Rita said she emailed the company and told them about the things she and her husband do while enjoying retirement.

"Humana called and said they got the message and asked if it was okay for them to call and do a story," Rita said.

After spending about an hour on the phone with a writer from the magazine, Rita said Humana asked if it would be okay for them to send a photographer down from St. Louis, Mo., to take a picture for the magazine.

As for how the Redmans spend their retirement, Rita said she spends a lot of time tending to the couples five garden ponds in their back yard, a project that started approximately 40 years ago with one pond in their front yard.

After an unfortunate trick-or-treater fell into the pond one Halloween, Rita said they decided to move the pond to the back of the property.

"That is what keeps me busy. It is something I like to do," Rita said, adding that Bob enjoys a round of golf with friends everyday.

"It is therapy for me," Rita said. "Bob hits golf balls. I pull weeds."

After joining the Humana Health Club, the Redmans began going to the local fitness center, Ultimate Fitness, where they train with a professional trainer, William Cunningham, twice per week, along with their regular classes. The trainer is paid for by the couples plan with Humana.

"We both go to the fitness center every day," Rita said, adding that another couple in their SilverSneakers program helps to keep them inspired.

According to Rita, Marge and Gary Swindle, of Senath, Mo., also attend the fitness center daily, even though they both have physical problems.

"She is in a wheelchair," Rita said. "They both exercise every machine in that building. If they can do it, everybody can. It is really inspirational."

Rita, 73, and Bob, 72, said they do not feel their age because they "keep busy."

"I plan to live to be 100," Rita said, adding that she also plans to be able to drive a car when she hits the triple-digit age.

"You are as old as you feel," Rita said. "If you keep exercising, you are going to live a long time."

On her way back from a recent trip to Hawaii, Rita said she noticed another passenger on the flight was reading the magazine that contained the article on the couple.

"It is kind of neat to have an article that goes all over the United States," Rita said.