Elmer Kelton and Branch Rickey
Elmer Kelton at 75 retired from writing and 50 years of newspaper work said he often wished to go back to newspaper work because he'd have some time to rest compared to current. His time was filled up with lectures to librarians and elder hostels.
at a school lecture one 12 yr boy was very shy, kept trying to wave his hand and then put it down. finally Elmer called on him: "Mr. Kelton, when you were my age, were you good with the girls?" — he had to think and then said, "No. Why I became a writer I guess."
Branch Rickey, like Stephen Sondheim, insisted on a strenuous journey to give a lecture honoring George Sisler. he said "I'd rather die two years early and have a good life then retire." he died at that speech and 100 tall men came to his funeral in Ohio. The Harlem Globetrotters.