Chuck Ripp of Lake Forest, suburban grandfather in the virus wheelchair ice skating video, celebrates the 91st birthday

Lake Forest (WLS) – A viral video shows a local family who emits her grandfather and wheelchair for some ice skating.

It was a little moment, but the family said ABC7 that he gave it so much joy after his long -time wife had entered hospice care.

The family invited ABC7 to be there on Thursday when “Papa Chuck” became.

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Chuck Ripp celebrated his 91st birthday of the family. The suburban grandfather said that the key to the long, fulfilled life was active.

“I enjoy nature and spend a lot of time out there,” said Ripp.

Papa Chuck, as the grandchildren call him, is a bit nervous.

He loves ice skating with his sons in Lake Forest and they had several rides on the ice rink in West Park this winter.

“I think his answer, when we arrived at the ice skating, read: 'Oh okay, let's go!',” Said son Joe Ripp. “He is always ready for it.”

“No, I was not afraid because I was in safe hands,” said Chuck Ripp.

Chuck learned for the first time to loosen the Mississippi River when he studied in a seminar in Lacrosse, Wisconsin.

That was before he hit his wife Cathy. The couple has been married for 65 years.

“Her motto is live every day as if it were her last and you really live every day as if it were her last”, daughter Marie Josephitis. “You are loved by so many people.”

“Our dating was always dances in Chicago.” Chuck Ripp said. “We are dancing … We both loved dancing!”

Slide over the dance floor and now the ice with the sons that he taught how to skate.

“Dad never has to keep the complaints from doing things,” said Joe Ripp.

On Thursday there were gifts, balloons and cakes, but the best gift from everyone, said Papa Chuck.

“Well, they make life worth,” said Chuck Ripp. “You really do it.”

Papa Chuck plans to go back to New Smyrna next week, where he says he will swim in the sea.