Some people age quietly, content with slowing down as the years pass, but others continue to challenge themselves and defy expectations in ways that leave the rest of us in awe.

Stories of extraordinary perseverance can inspire us to rethink what’s possible, even when time seems to be against us.

Every once in a while, someone emerges whose achievements remind us that strength, discipline, and passion know no expiration date.

This is one of those stories, and it may leave you rethinking your own definition of what it means to grow older.


At 90 years old, martial artist Ben Rocuskie of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is still more than capable of defending himself.

Asked directly if he could fend off an attacker, he didn’t hesitate before replying, “Without a doubt. Although I’m a bit slower, I still know when and where to strike.”

Rocuskie, who was inducted into the World Karate Hall of Fame in 2009, earned his 9th degree black belt in Okinawan Seidokan Karate in September 2023 at the age of 89, a milestone that bestowed on him the honorific title of “Hanshi,” meaning exemplary or master teacher.

Though his martial arts accomplishments are remarkable, Rocuskie’s career outside the dojo is just as distinguished.


In the late 1960s, as a bridge design engineer, he was responsible for overseeing construction in western Pennsylvania and played a critical role in devising evacuation routes during the Three Mile Island nuclear accident.

His leadership extended beyond engineering when he served as chairman of the Professional Engineers in Government, where he even testified before Congress on issues of safety and labor rights.

Reflecting on his journey, he often notes with pride, “Not bad for the son of a coal miner.” Rocuskie’s personal story begins in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, where he was born on November 14, 1934.

His early years were modest, marked by drawing water from a spring, using an outhouse, and listening to The Lone Ranger on the radio.


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He worked near coal mines as a child and even set pins in a bowling alley before earning his engineering degree from Drexel University in 1960 and becoming a licensed professional engineer a year later.

At the age of 48, he discovered karate at a local church dojo, and within 15 years, he rose to become a senior instructor of karate and tai chi, a position he proudly held for 25 years.

Despite his accolades, Rocuskie insists that martial arts is not about being a warrior. “A warrior is a fighter. Karate is self-defense,” he explains, emphasizing the discipline’s focus on control and respect.

His longevity, he says, comes from a steady practice of karate, tai chi, and the unwavering support of his wife, Marlene, whom he affectionately calls “my angel of 68 years.”


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Together they raised three children and now enjoy six grandchildren, with his philosophy of life rooted in carefully weighing choices: “You have two choices, and each choice brings more choices.”

Even now, Rocuskie continues to learn, maintaining that a true black belt marks only the beginning of one’s journey.

He is often disheartened when students stop training after their first-degree promotion, reminding them that commencement is a start, not an end.

“That’s what the black belt is. Right now, I’m studying pressure point techniques in self-defense. After 42 years in martial arts, yes, I can still learn.”

His words reflect a life of discipline, humility, and constant growth, proving that passion for learning doesn’t diminish with age.

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Ben Rocuskie’s story raises a question worth considering: how do we choose to challenge ourselves as we grow older, and what practices help us remain strong in both body and spirit? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know what lessons from his journey resonate most with you.