105-Year-Old Eclipse Fan Excited to See His 13th Solar Eclipse

Many have said it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but Laverne Biser recently prepared to see his 13th solar eclipse! 

Texan Laverne Biser, now 105 years old, was born in 1918 and began viewing solar eclipses in 1963. His lifelong fascination with the celestial phenomena took him to Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, for his inaugural viewing experience. However, in the 60 years since, he’s traveled worldwide to catch and capture the best possible views of each rare eclipse. 

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Laverne Biser Loves Astronomy and Building Things

From near Bali to Brazil, Mr. Biser has traveled with his own equipment. Laverne is a retired engineer who loves astronomy and building things; he’s been interested in both since he was a little boy. In addition to designing airplanes for General Dynamics, Laverne has designed and built various things for his own personal use—including telescopes for his eclipse-chasing adventures!

Laverne was excited to find the perfect view of the April 8, 2024, eclipse in the company of his daughter and granddaughter in Plano, not far from his home in Fort Worth. Mr. Biser’s eclipse trips often became family vacations with his two children and his late wife, Marian. Laverne’s daughter, 76-year-old Carol Biser Barlow, told the Washington Post that those road trips had taken her to 49 of the 50 states by the time she had graduated high school! 

His Daughter Picked Her Wedding Date Based On An Eclipse

In fact, Carol’s wedding date was even influenced by her father’s love for the rare cosmic occurrences. She shared, “I told my parents about two possible dates for my wedding — one on June 3rd and one on July 8th. My dad said, ‘If you want me to give you away, you’ll have to pick the earlier date. I won’t be here on July 8th.’ He had an eclipse to get to.”

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Laverne has photos and mementos from each of the thirteen eclipses he witnessed. The centenarian considers each unique. One of his favorite photos was taken during the 1979 eclipse, which he observed from Williston, South Dakota. Mr. Biser knows that number 13 may be his last eclipse because there will not be another total solar eclipse visible from the United States for another twenty years. He said, “I probably won’t be around for the next one. So I’m hoping the weather will cooperate long enough for me to see this one. I’m praying for clear weather.” 

No doubt, Laverne appreciated his most recent eclipse as much as the prior dozen. In advance of the big event, Laverne said, “It’s really something — there’s nothing like that dark sky in the middle of the day. I always feel like a lucky man when I see it. It reminds me that no matter where you are in life, we’re all just a little spot in the universe.”      

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

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WATCH: 105-Year-Old Eclipse Fan Excited to See His 13th Solar Eclipse

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h/t: Sunny Skyz

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/FOX 26 Houston

Hally is a freelance writer, blogger, and mental health advocate. A former school counselor, Hally works for a nonprofit that distributes tax dollars to mental health and prevention education providers that serve her county's kids and families. She's a contributor to a devotional and two essay collectives, and she shares resources and wisdom regarding parenting teens, mental health, faith, adoption, and more at http://www.hallyjwells.com where she strives to "Dig Deep and Reach High." She and her husband have three adult children and one rascally beagle pup. Hally loves travel, her book club sisters, personality tests, and a great glass of iced tea.