Mar 7, 2018 2 min read

Consider this: the median duration of a current marriage in Pennsylvania is 21 years.

Robert and Catherine Walker have surpassed that statistic, handily.

The couple, who live in South Strabane Township, recently celebrated their 78th wedding anniversary.

When Robert, 98, and Catherine, 96, tied the knot on March 4, 1940, “Gone With the Wind” won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and a gallon of gas cost 11 cents.

They marked their 21st wedding anniversary in 1961.

The secret to their long and happy marriage?

“I say, ‘Yes, dear,'” said Robert, laughing. “Really, it’s a couple of things: love and total respect. We respect each other’s opinions, and we respect each other’s right to have an opinion. We sometimes disagree, obviously, but we always talked it out.”

The couple met in high school in Minerva, Ohio. Both grew up on farms (Robert’s family raised beef and dairy cattle on a farm once owned by President William McKinley), and the two got acquainted when Catherine delivered bread to the grocery store/slaughter house where Robert worked as a meat cutter.

The pair eloped to Ashland, Ky., where they obtained a marriage license at the courthouse and then stopped by a Methodist church to exchange vows.

“And we started something that hasn’t quit yet,” said Robert.

A military veteran, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II.

The couple moved to Claysville in 1951, and worked together at Walker Insurance Agency, which Robert owned and operated until his retirement. Catherine worked as the office manager, secretary and treasurer.

The Walkers’ family spans five generations: they raised two children, and have five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

The couple and their family celebrated the milestone anniversary with a dinner at their favorite restaurant, the Back Porch Restaurant in Belle Vernon.

“We’ve spent most of our lives living and working together, and it’s been wonderful,” said Robert. “She puts up with me.”