Alexander Imich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexander Imich
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Imich in 2008
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Alexander Herbert Imich
February 4, 1903 Częstochowa, Congress Poland, Russian Empire
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| Died | June 8, 2014 (aged 111 years, 124 days) Manhattan, New York, United States
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| Known for | World's oldest verified living man (24 April 2014 - 8 June 2014) |
Alexander Herbert Imich (born February 4, 1903 – died June 8, 2014) was a remarkable Polish-American scientist and writer. He was a chemist, a zoologist (someone who studies animals), and a parapsychologist (someone who studies unexplained mental abilities). He also led the Anomalous Phenomena Research Center in New York City.
Born in Częstochowa, Poland, in 1903, Alexander Imich lived an incredibly long life. He was a supercentenarian, which means he lived to be over 110 years old. For a short time, he was even recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living man. This happened on April 24, 2014, when he was 111 years old. He held this title for about a month and a half.
Alexander Imich was also the last known veteran of the Polish–Soviet War.
Contents
Early Life and War Service
When Alexander Imich was just 15 years old, he joined the Polish forces. This was in 1918, during the Polish–Soviet War. He and his classmates helped fight against the Bolsheviks. His older brother taught him how to drive trucks for the army. Alexander drove trucks until the fighting ended. After that, he went back to school.
Becoming a Scientist
Alexander Imich loved to learn. He earned a PhD in zoology from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków in 1929. A PhD is a very high university degree. Even though he studied zoology, he couldn't find a job in that field. So, he decided to become a chemist instead.
In the 1920s and 1930s, he also did research on something called parapsychology. This is the study of mental abilities that are not easily explained by science. He wrote about his research in a German science journal in 1932. Sadly, many of his notes and photos from this research were lost during World War II.
Life During World War II
During World War II, Alexander Imich and his wife, Wela, had to leave their home. They went to a part of Poland that was controlled by the Soviet Union. Alexander worked there as a chemist.
Later, they were sent to a labor camp. This was because they refused to become Soviet citizens. They stayed there until the war ended. After the war, they decided to move to the United States in 1951. This was because many of their family and friends in Poland had been killed.
Life in the United States
In 1952, Alexander and Wela moved to the United States. They lived in Pennsylvania and New York. To earn money, Alexander first worked as a chemist. But in 1965, Wela became a psychologist, which is a type of therapist. Once she had a steady job, Alexander went back to studying parapsychology.
After Wela passed away in 1986, Alexander continued his research. He wrote many articles for science journals. He also edited a book called Incredible Tales of the Paranormal in 1995. In 1999, he started the Anomalous Phenomena Research Center. He hoped to prove that paranormal events are real to other scientists and the public. In 2012, he gave his research records to the University of Manitoba.
Alexander Imich lived a very long life. Around his 111th birthday, he had a fall. He spent his birthday in the hospital. But he got better and celebrated his birthday later. People who knew him thought he was still in good health.
Alexander Imich passed away on June 8, 2014, at the age of 111 years and 124 days. He died from natural causes. After his death, Sakari Momoi of Japan became the world's oldest man. Sakari Momoi was born just one day after Alexander Imich. Alexander Imich believed his long life was due to good genes, healthy eating, exercise, and not having children.
See also
In Spanish: Alexander Imich para niños
