Walter Breuning, a 114-year-old retired railroad worker known as the oldest man in the world, died Thursday of natural causes in Montana.

Governor Brian Schweitzer expressed his condolences in a statement, saying “I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend and a great Montanan, Walter Breuning. I have spent a lot of time with Walter this past week, and I can proudly say knowing Walter has made me a better person…He was wise even beyond his years.”

Breuning, born in September 21, 1896 in Minnesota, was named the world’s oldest man by the Guinness Book of World Records on July 18, 2009. He spent his early years in South Dakota before landing a job with the Great Northern Railway in 1913. He retired at age 66.

Since 1980, he lived in a nursing home called Rainbow Senior Living in Great Falls.

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