101-year-old Fred Kays still on the go

Fred Kays may be 101, but he can be seen driving his three-wheeled scooter from his home in downtown Downers Grove to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital's Health and Wellness Center three times a week.

There is no question that Kays has been an eyewitness to history. He experienced World War I and II, prohibition, the Great Depression and 18 presidencies.

The centenarian says the keys to longevity are "luck" and "keeping your mind busy."

Known as a regular in the Wellness Center's Sit and Fit class, Kays works on strength, endurance and flexibility by using hand weights and stability balls from the comfort of a chair.

In addition to staying physically active, Kays keeps busy by traveling. He just returned from Hawaii in November, Washington, D.C., in May, California in June and has a trip planned to Ohio this fall to learn more about his ancestors.

He also stays in touch with family and friends through his own Facebook account that he accesses from his smartphone and iPad.

Kays is a U.S. Army veteran who served in World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart. Following the service, he worked as a civil engineer in Michigan until his retirement.

Kays and his wife, who were married for 71 years, raised four children. During their marriage, they traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Alaska in their airstream travel trailer.