| Gustav Gerneth | |
 Gustav Gerneth at age 109 | |
| Unvalidated |
Gustav Gerneth (born 15 October 1905) is an unvalidated German supercentenarian who, at the age of 118 years, 186 days, has been Germany's oldest living person since the passing of Herta Oeser on 13 March 2016. If validated, he would be the oldest person ever to be born and die or living in Germany (however, this title is still hold by verified Maria Laqua). Mr. Gerneth would also be the oldest living man in Europe, the second-oldest man in the world, and possibly be the oldest World War II veteran in the world.
Biography
Gustav Gerneth was born on 15 October 1905 in Stettin (Pomerania), Prussia what was then German but is Poland today. There he was trained as machinist and started his career by seafaring in 1924. In 1930 he married his wife Charlotte Grubert, the daughter of his employer who owned a ship anchored in Havelberg. The couple raised three sons in Stettin, again. Mr. Gerneth serviced in World War II and was captured by Russian corps until 1947. Later the family moved to Havelberg and Gerneth worked in the local gas plant until his retirement in 1972. His wife died in 1988.
At the time of his 110th birthday, Gustav Gerneth was the seventh German man to become a supercentenarian. He was reported to have outlived his sons, being in their 80s, by the age of 109. Until the age of 107, he purchased everything on his own. Later, his family started taking care of him but Gerneth is still able to take care of himself, being interested in todays politics and sports.
On 15 October 2017, Gustav Gerneth celebrated his 112th birthday, being the first German man ever to do so. He was also the first human ever to turn 113 in Germany. Being asked for his secret of longevity Gerneth trusts in good meals (always butter, never margerine), no alcohol or cigarettes but also no active sports.
At age 113, he was reported living still on his own in Havelberg, inhabiting the same apartment for more than 45 years. His granddaughter takes care of him.
Age records (attention to the unverified age of Mr. Gerneth)
- 5 August 2013 - Germanys oldest living man after the passing of Erich Walde (1905-2013, aged 108 years and 35 days)
- ca. May 2014 - Oldest living resident of Saxony-Anhalt with the passing of Maria Jarkulisch (1904-2014, aged 109 years and 9 months).
- 12 November 2015 - Oldest living resident of Saxony-Anhalt ever surpassing Franziska Maier
- 13 March 2016 - Germanys oldest living person with the passing of Herta Oeser
- 22 July 2017 - Germanys oldest men ever surpassing Hermann Dornemann
- 29 January 2018 - European doyen after the passing of Francisco Nunez Oliveraa
- 12 October 2018 - Germanys oldest living resident ever surpassing Maria Laqua
- 15 October 2018 - Germanys first national person of age 113
References
- Gustav Gerneth feiert seinen "107." Volksstimme. 16 October 2012
- Herr Gerneth steht mit 109 noch am Herd Volksstimme. 16 October 2014
- Ich bin 109 und schmeiße den Haushalt selbst Bild. 28 November 2014
- Ältester Deutscher feiert 110. Geburtstag MDR. 15 October 2015
- Deutschlands ältester Mann Gustav Gerneth feiert 111. Geburtstag Rundschau online. 15 October 2016
- Ältester Deutscher ist ein Havelberger Volksstimme. 15 October 2016
- [https://www.bild.de/regional/sachsen-anhalt/sachsen-anhalt-news/keine-diaet-kein-sport-opa-gustav-wird-113-jahre-alt-57826578.bild.html Opa Gustav wird
heute 113 Jahre alt] Bild. 15 October 2018