COEUR d'ALENE - To Bob Ross, you are what you eat.

That philosophy has given the Coeur d'Alene man 100 great years.

"Your diet has a lot to do with how long you live," Ross said matter of factly during his birthday celebration on Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d'Alene.

"I've followed a strict diet all my life. That helps."

Garlic, onions and other veggies are good for you, he said.

His other words of wisdom? "Keep smiling, be kind to others and be sociable."

When asked how he feels at 100, Ross said, "I haven't thought about that. I feel the same as I have every other day."

Ross, believed to be the oldest living graduate of Coeur d'Alene High, arrived in Coeur d'Alene in 1920 via train with his father and brother Joe.

Ross and his wife of 72 years, Mavis, who died in 2008 at 93, operated the Ross Motel for more than 40 years, befriending hundreds of folks who came to Coeur d'Alene for the holidays. Their kindness and hospitality drew appreciation cards from all over the world.

His work life also centered around the grocery business as he managed the Cash and Carry Wholesale Grocery Co. for 35 years.

Jill Landback, a daughter of Ross, said her dad started working when he was 13.

"That ethic would follow him always whether it was building his house, planting his gardens, catching fish to eat," she said. "He was always busy with projects."

After his retirement, Ross loved to garden. Among his specialties were making applesauce and canned cherries as gifts. Many who drove down Front Street were heartened by the gorgeous display of flowers at the Ross home.

"In his honor, I grew a big garden," said longtime friend Dave Lewis of Helena.

Lewis' wife Karen added: "He's been a great example of eating right and taking care of yourself."

Ross was also a great fisherman, joke teller and card player.

"He caught thousands of bluebacks on Lake Coeur d'Alene," said daughter Jean Hjort.

Landback said Ross has been about completing simple dreams, but doing them well.

"His first dream was wife and family," she said.

Ross built a reputation for loving to be around people.

"His home was a revolving door all of our lives," Hjort said.

Landback added: "Anyone arriving at the Ross back door could always count on a good meal seasoned with laughter."

Centenarian facts

• The United States had the greatest number of known centenarians of any nation, estimated at 70,490 on Sept. 1, 2010, according to Wikipedia, a free online encyclopedia. This corresponds to a national incidence of one centenarian per 4,400 people. In 2009, the United Nations estimated that there were 455,000 living centenarians worldwide.