Ben Slotnick, a resident of Brookdale at Grand Court in Overland Park, turned 103 on Nov. 20 and celebrated Friday, Nov. 29, with a party.
Being a centenarian doesn’t slow this small but mighty man down one bit.
In fact, family and friends often complain they can’t find Slotnick in his apartment. Chances are, he’s out and about, zipping around the property on his electric blue scooter.
Slotnick was born in Chelsea, Mass, and moved with his family to the Kansas City area before the age of 2. His parents had immigrated to the United States from Russia. He began work as a young boy in a family delicatessen where his two older sisters taught him to count change.
That was the beginning of a strong lifelong work ethic. He delivered industrial laundry for more than 40 years. He has always been a little but mighty man, lifting 100-pound barrels.
Slotnick was married to the love of his life, Helen Schwartz Slotnick, for 69 years and has two sons. His lifelong passions include family, cars, boating, fishing and life at the Lake of the Ozarks. He has always been a build-it or fix-it kind of guy, volunteered at the Jewish Community Center building sets for White Theatre and helping with B’nai B’rith youth.
Slotnick is still known as “Uncle Benny” to the hundreds of youth he has interacted with. He was active with the Boy Scouts of America and is an honorary member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say with the rank of Warrior.