OCEAN CITY – On March 22, Richard Shoemaker, a resident of The Shores, celebrated a milestone: his 100th birthday. Not everyone can reach a century of life and for Richard, it was something he never set out to do.
“I never really gave it much thought,” he said with a smile when asked about turning 100. “Probably not until last year — when I started to think, maybe I’ll make it.”
Instead, he took it one day at a time and enjoyed life’s simplest moments.
“Just enjoying life,” he said.
Richard’s story is deeply rooted in love — starting with the remarkable marriage he shared with his wife, Betty. The two met when they were just 15 years old.
Their love story, as he tells it, was love at first drive.
“We went out on a date, and when Betty got in the front seat, the fellow that was driving said, ‘You’re in the back,’” he laughed. “So, she came and sat in the back where I was, and that was it. We went steady ever since.”
Not long after, their relationship was tested by history itself. During World War II, Richard served in the United States Navy, answering the call to serve his country while Betty waited for him back home — a time that only strengthened their bond.
When Richard returned, the two picked up right where they left off. He went on to finish high school, attend college, and dedicate his career to education, becoming a teacher and wrestling coach. Meanwhile, Richard and Betty built a life centered on family, sharing 75 years of marriage and raising a son — a bond that shaped the course of Richard’s life.
When Betty passed away a few years ago, the loss was profound.
“She had been sick for a couple of years, and in pain,” he shared. “You don’t know how to feel when you know she’s no longer in pain — but you don’t have her anymore.”
After moving to The Shores with his wife and continuing to live there in the years following her passing, Richard found something that made the days a little brighter: companionship.
That companionship grew into a deep friendship with fellow resident Sylvia Erb.
“There are no words to describe it,” Richard said. “She’s been a tremendous friend.”
The two were introduced by teammates at The Shores, who suggested they sit down and enjoy a meal together.
“She sat at my table because someone asked her to,” he recalled. “And she’s been at my table ever since.”
For Sylvia, their connection is extremely meaningful. Like Richard, she had also shared a long and loving marriage.
“I was married 66 years,” she said. “So I, too, had a very wonderful life. We both did with our spouses.”
Sylvia met her husband, Al, on the Ocean City Boardwalk when she was 22 years old. Together, they built a loving family that includes four children, eight grandchildren, and 16 great‑grandchildren — a legacy she speaks about with great pride.
Richard and Sylva’s shared life experience, she believes, shaped the friendship they’ve built.
“We came together knowing how to be nice to each other. How to make each other happy. How to care about each other,” Sylvia explained.
What began at the table grew into daily routines. They attend The Shores’ community events together, spend evenings talking, and enjoy listening to music. Most nights, the two can be found watching television together before parting ways — Richard unfailingly punctual about heading back to his apartment (right across the hall) for bedtime at 8:45 p.m. sharp.
“To have a friend to support you,” Richard said, “there’s no words that would describe it.”
When asked whether that friendship played a role in reaching 100, Richard didn’t hesitate.
“Probably,” he said. “It certainly made it easier. More fun, too.”
It’s a reminder that longevity isn’t just about years — it’s about connection, shared moments, and having someone by your side who understands where you’ve been.
On March 20, just days before his birthday, Richard was surprised with a Key to the City from Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian, honoring not only his milestone birthday but the life he has lived within the community.
“It’s a privilege to be able to honor you for 100 years,”Gillian said to Richard as he also presented him with a brass ring — often a symbol of living life to the fullest. “No matter how old you are, never stop reaching for that brass ring.” As Richard celebrates 100 years, his story stands as a powerful reminder: a long life is shaped not only by time, but by love — past and present — and by the friendships that help carry us forward.
– STORY and PHOTOS COURTESY of THE SHORES