At 95 years-old, Gene Hunstad still works every day. These days it's mostly in his garden.
Gene retired for the first time about 30 years ago, but it didn't really stick.
"I retired for six months then I realized it wasn't for me and I went back to work," he said.
Gene's work now is quite down to Earth -- unlike the time he spent in the 1960s towering 600 feet above Seattle.
"If you were scared of heights you had no business being around there," he chuckles.
Gene was on the crew that installed the massive window panels on the Space Needle nearly 60 years ago.
"At the time we didn't think it was a big deal." Gene said. "It was just all in a day's work."
All in a day's work back then, but as the magnitude of what he helped accomplish sank in, Gene began to understand the significance of his work.
"It does give you a feeling of pride. The Space Needle is known around the world and it's something you worked on."
Those original windows are now being replaced as part of the Needle's current renovation -- something Gene is actually happy to see happen.
Above all, he wants Seattle's most enduring symbol to be around for generations to come.
"I don't have too many years left, let's face it," Gene said. "But when today's kids are my age, that thing will still be there. "
Gene just celebrated his 95th birthday, and as he looks back on his life's work, he promises to return to the Space Needle one more time to gaze out through those new windows.
"I'll make sure they did it right," he said with a smile.
(Photos in the video are courtesy Space Needle LLC)
