WHITEHALL, Wis. — In the town of Whitehall, Wisconsin there lives a man known for his positivity and politeness.
His name is Reynolds Tomter. And even at 107-years-old, he still looks forward to lunchtime.
“He has a good appetite. They also give him all the options,” said John Spencer, Tomter’ friend.
As they should. A full stomach for Tomter means a full array of stories.
“I was born in 1917 on the farm. No electricity, no water,” said Tomter.
Norwegian was actually his first language as a kid. Tomter grew up near Pigeon Falls, got married, worked at a general store, and on the day of his daughter’s baptism, his brother-in-law delivered some devastating news.
“He said Pearl Harbor just got bombed! And, holy cats!” Tomter recalled.
Tomter enlisted in the Merchant Marines where he became a baker on his ship and a back-up gunner. He was stationed in Brooklyn, New York when he realized just how close they were to the war.