World’s Oldest Man Dies at Age 112

Robert Weighton died in his sleep at home.

Robert Weighton
Robert Weighton was the world's oldest man.
Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images

Robert Weighton, the world’s oldest man, died on Thursday at the age of 112, CNN reported.

Weighton, of Hampshire in southern England, had cancer and died “peacefully in his sleep” in his own home, the family confirmed in a statement to the UK’s PA Media news agency.

Born in Yorkshire in the north of England on March 29, 1908, Weighton officially became the world’s oldest man earlier this year after Chitetsu Watanabe, from Japan, died on February 23 at the age of 112 years and 355 days.

A former engineer and teacher, Weighton entertained a variety of hobbies and interests up until his death, including politics, theology and ecology. His family called him “an extraordinary man” and “role model to us all,” who “lived his life interested in and engaged with all kinds of people from across the world.”

Weighton, for his part, characterized himself as “an ordinary bloke who just happened to live for a long time,” in a humble statement shortly after he claimed the title of oldest living man.

“We are so grateful that until the very end Bob remained our witty, kind, knowledgeable, conversationalist father, grandfather and great grandfather, and we will miss him greatly,” the family added.

Throughout his life, Weighton spent time living in Taiwan, the US, and Canada, before returning to the UK in 1945. He is survived by his children David and Dorothy, 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

According to Guinness World Records, the world’s oldest person is Kane Tanaka, who celebrated her 117th birthday in January.

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