He works full-time running his own piano teaching business, is musical director for the Vancouver Piano Ensemble and is vice-president of the BC Conservatory of Music.
Oh, he’s also moderator of his Baptist church.
If you’re a little tired trying to absorb the routine of Winfried Rompf, consider that he’s in his 73rd year and can’t get enough of life.
Not content to hit the golf course, volunteer at the local fair, travel the world or engage in whatever senior past-time expected of him, Rompf will likely celebrate World Seniors Day next Wednesday, Oct. 1 by doing what he does best — keeping busy.
“Once you say, I’m going to do nothing except travel, it’s the beginning of the end,” said sprightly Rompf from his detached family home on Gilmore Crescent in north Richmond, where his piano-teaching business is based.
“I need to feel wanted and that my skills are still worth sharing. Retiring is the last thing on my mind as I enjoy too much what I’m doing.
“Sure, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve maybe reduced a few things. But I’ve got a waiting list (for piano teaching) so I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.”
Rompf has played the piano all his life, having self-taught in his native Germany until aged around 10.
He’s been teaching students the famous art since he was 16 and has kept it going amid a BA degree in commerce from the University of B.C. and a career with the government in human resources, which he left behind in 1992 to concentrate on his own business and his many other interests.
“One of my biggest passions is actually playing and I still take part in concerts,” added Rompf, wondering himself how he manages to fit it all in.
“And I have three children and eight grandchildren, six of whom live next door, so they keep me busy as well.”
*Richmond Public Library and Minoru Seniors Centre both have events for World Seniors Day. Contact them for details.
And Richmond’s chapter of CARP will also mark the date by hosting its AGM and first anniversary on Oct. 2 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Richmond Seniors Centre, 7660 Minoru Gate.
Guest speaker on the day will be Lin Chen, workshop coordinator for the B.C. Centre for Elderly Advocacy and Support. She will talk about what is, and is not, elderly abuse and what to do if you think you’ve witnessed it.
Contact CARP at www.carp.ca/richmond.
