How do you encapsulate the meaning of a man's life in 500 words?

Clair Clawser has always led an active, colorful existence, filling the natural lulls with adventure, work and energy. It continues to be a life well-lived, a complete and rewarding life.

If indeed Clawser has any regrets at all, it's that he's beginning to slow down.

"Who wants to sit around and watch TV all day?" said Clawser. "I have an active mind and an active body. I'm always thinking about what's next. I'm up for anything. I'm active because I'm able to do so much."

The 78-year-old Clawser is a resident of Poplar Grove, a small hamlet due west of Brickerville. After working the majority of his adult life as a printer and a materials handler, Clawser retired in 2016 and now devotes his energies to his many interests, pursuits and curiosities, as well as a part-time summer job at Dutch Wonderland as a ride operator.

Clawser never married.

"I'm retired, but I'm not," said Clawser. "I guess I've aged, but I don't worry about it. I don't worry about getting old. I know it's not going to go forever. I've cut back on some things, but I still do them. I'm going to continue to slow down. I have to have a little more rest than I used to. I can do everything until about 2 (p.m.). That's when I need a rest, but then I can come back."

Over the last six decades, Clawser has worn many hats, and they've all fit him pretty well.

In addition to his work as a materials handler and a printer, the Hershey High School graduate has been an entrepreneur and written and published numerous books and comic books. A regular participant in Pennsylvania's Senior Games, Clawser has competed in the sports of distance running - about 1,323 total races - along with basketball, badminton, bowling, darts, miniature golf, horseshoes, pingpong and bocce, all successfully, but without much fanfare.

"I'm very competitive to a point, but I'm just average at everything," said Clawser. "I just try to do the best I can all the time. I have all these ideas pouring out of me, but I've never been able to hit it big time."

He is also an avid traveler, an unofficial historian, an aspiring singer, a Renaissance man and a 14-year cancer survivor.

A character and personality guy, Clawser is a respectful man, a genuine man and a gentleman. He has faced his share of setbacks and challenges, but he has always chosen to focus on the positives, and his greatest life accomplishment might be his perseverance.

"I often look back," said Clawser. "I have no regrets. There are no regrets, just enjoying what you did. I'm happy. I just love to do all this stuff."

Or, as the late great baseball pitcher Satchel Paige once said, "Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you."