Few people have been through as much as Bob McGee. October’s Member of the Month is the epitome of resilience and committing to improving your health, no matter how difficult the task. Originally from north St. Louis, McGee went to work for American Investment Company where he worked on some of the first credit scores. Later he spent some time outside of the region working for Standard Oil in Kansas City and Chicago. In this role he helped bring the idea of online bill pay to life. In 2007, he and his family moved back to St. Louis, and in the process of finding new doctors, he got some updates on his health.

The report wasn’t good. A number of ailments and diseases including diabetes, leukemia, hyperaldosteronism and more resulted in the doctor giving him approximately one year to live. “I came to the conclusion that if I could get myself in better condition, I might be able to last a little longer.” So that’s exactly what he did.

Ever since, he and his wife Cathy have been coming to The Pointe three days a week to find improvements in their health happening rapidly. So dramatic were the results of a healthier lifestyle that his doctors recently told him he is no longer diabetic, he no longer needs to schedule appointments with his arthritis doctor, and has now been cancer free for 6 years.

Heading to the gym three days a week is impressive for a nearly 80 year old, but Bob chose The Pointe as his fitness home for a specific reason -- the indoor track. Every so often his training starts to increase. He comes to The Pointe more often, stays for a longer duration, and adds outdoor track workouts to his routine. Why the increase in training? Because Bob is a decorated Senior Olympian who competes year after year to defend his titles.

A sprinter by experience, McGee has remained committed to the sport of track for many years. In his younger years, he competed in the 200 and 400 meter sprint races, but now focuses on the 50 and 100 meter dashes.

He admits he struggled to prioritize his health and fitness in his working years, as many people do, but once he received his list of diagnoses, he really kicked his training back into gear. “Establish the habit early,” is Bob’s advice to others. “It will pay off with more years to your life and the benefits go beyond the physical improvements. Exercise is also good for your mental capacity.”

Bob is certainly an athlete, but what some people may not know is that Bob is also an artist. His paintings have received many awards and have even been on display at The Pointe. Bob and Cathy have been married for 60 years and have four children and nine grandchildren.

Congratulations Bob, you are most certainly deserving of the title Member of the Month. We look forward to hearing how many medals you bring home after the next Senior Olympics!