ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — At 99 years old, Jim Rider still shows up for work every Tuesday.
The longtime Mission Hospital volunteer, a U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II and the Korean War, celebrated his 99th birthday this week surrounded by family, hospital staff and fellow volunteers who have come to know him as much for his humor as his decades of service.
Mission Hospital team members marked the occasion with cake, decorations, cards and a birthday gathering that included Rider’s daughters, Joan Ledford and Cathy Rogers.
Despite approaching his 100th birthday, Rider continues volunteering in the hospital’s Patient Discharge Suite, helping patients and visitors as he has for years.
His commitment to service began after watching his wife, Shirley, volunteer at the hospital. Inspired by her example, Rider joined the volunteer ranks and has remained a fixture at Mission Hospital since. The tradition of giving back has extended through the family, with all three of his grandchildren also becoming volunteers.
Those who work alongside Rider say his dedication is matched by his quick wit.
John, a registered nurse in the Patient Discharge Suite who has worked with Rider for more than seven years, recalled warning him not to use a wheelchair because of a problem with its bearings.
Rider’s response came instantly.
“Well, I don’t want to be ‘over-bearing,'” he joked.
His sense of humor remains intact when the topic turns to retirement.
Asked whether he plans to step away from volunteering, Rider says he intends to keep going for at least another 18 years.
Hospital staff say volunteers like Rider play an important role in creating a welcoming environment for patients and families. Mission Hospital recently recognized several volunteers and staff members for their contributions, including recipients of the DAISY Award and top patient experience teams.
But on Tuesday, the spotlight belonged to Rider — a veteran, volunteer and familiar face whose service continues nearly a century after his birth.
As he celebrated his 99th birthday, colleagues and family members gathered not only to honor a milestone, but also to thank a man whose commitment to helping others has spanned generations.
