97-Year-Old Milwaukee Resident Started Senior Exercise Class
Dick Knepper founded the free Dumbbells for Seniors weightlifting program at a local Milwaukee community center.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Senior Health
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At 97 years old, Milwaukee resident Dick Knepper has launched a free exercise program titled Dumbbells for Seniors to help local older adults maintain their physical fitness. The hour-long sessions are held at the Bay View Community Center, where participants utilize two-pound weights.
Why it matters
Knepper designed the program to address the fitness needs of the local senior population, ensuring they have an accessible way to stay active. The community-led initiative provides a structured environment that encourages long-term health and mobility for Milwaukee residents.
The free class utilizes two-pound weights during one-hour sessions held on Mondays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. Participant age ranges include the 82-year-old instructor Marcelina Agbuis and the 97-year-old founder.
The players
Dick Knepper
He is a 97-year-old World War II veteran who founded the Knepper Brothers auto shop in 1952.
Marcelina Agbuis
She is an 82-year-old community member who leads the weightlifting sessions when the founder is away.
The details
The program, known as Dumbbells for Seniors, follows a written plan created by Knepper to ensure consistency during his upcoming seasonal travel to Florida. Marcelina Agbuis, aged 82, manages the instruction at the Bay View Community Center in his absence.
Timeline
Dick Knepper was born in 1928.
Knepper Brothers auto shop was founded in 1952.
Classes occur every Monday and Thursday at 1 p.m.
The Big Picture
This program follows a pattern set by the National Institute on Aging's Go4Life exercise initiative by providing accessible strength training at a community level. It demonstrates how local grassroots efforts can mirror established national health protocols for maintaining mobility in older adults.
The free, hour-long class allows local Milwaukee seniors to incorporate low-impact resistance training into their weekly routines without financial barriers. Participants can utilize the program as a consistent health maintenance tool that requires only two-pound weights.
The takeaway
Maintaining physical activity through simple resistance training remains an effective strategy for seniors to preserve independence. Even modest routines can provide significant health benefits when performed consistently over time.
Further reading
Learn more about local wellness initiatives on the Milwaukee Senior Health page.
More information
Find out more about the classes by reviewing the Bay View Community Center services information.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS58.
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