Joseph Tibold’s friend, 52-year-old Denise Stuth, said he couldn’t have picked a better era to turn 100.

“If you had to pick a remarkable century to live, it has to be Joe’s,” she said. The era saw the invention of the automobile and the airplane, computers, the moon landing and two world wars.

Tibold, a Gardens at Juanita Bay resident, says “a strong religious faith” has helped him take a century’s worth of advanced changes in stride. “My mother was the single most positive influence in my life,” said Tibold. “I should say mother and father but it was my mother who imparted her deep religious beliefs in me. She was very intelligent and the heart of our family.”

He was born in Budapest, Hungary, graduated from Piarist Gymnazium in 1928 and entered the University. He received a doctorate in law and represented a variety of small firms. He was also a member of the Hungarian Army. When asked is there anything he has always wanted to do, Tibold said, “When I graduated from high school my father died. My mother held a family meeting to discuss my studies. I wished to become a medical doctor, however, my family unanimously agreed it was best that I practice law – so much more opportunity in that profession. Doctors were like country doctors and were not held in high esteem, they were considered ‘normal’ jobs. Even in my dreams now, I dream of being a doctor, even though I was a successful lawyer.”

In 1950, he and his beloved wife, Betty, affectionately called “Nani,” moved to the United States. They raised two daughters, Eva and Judith. At the age of 68, Tibold furthered his education by attending UCLA.

“Everyone helped me, many times I was tired and sleepy from working all day and studying for school but I enjoyed it!”

What does he consider the most important invention made in his lifetime?

“I am 100 and I use the computer, but I would say the most important invention was the airplane,” he said. “The country was excited. Also, in my high school, we made one of the first receivers with wires and crystals. Then came receivers using batteries, then using electric currency – we could plug it in! That was very exciting!”

The couple moved to Washington State in 1978 to be near their daughter Eva. In 2001, they moved into the Gardens at Juanita Bay Senior Community (formerly the German Retirement Home) where he resides today. In 2004, Joseph’s beloved Nani passed away causing an irreplaceable loss in his life.

The Juanita Bay community celebrated Tibold’s 100th birthday with him April 12.