At 101, Robert Louis Stephenson has no plans to retire.
The Southampton resident still goes to work five days a week at the office furniture business he founded, staying involved in the company that has been part of his life for more than six decades.
“I still go to work every day,” Stephenson said during a recent interview at the Province of Southampton with his grandson, Andrew Stephenson, and family friend Dana Schmidt.
Stephenson recently moved to his current home in Southampton. Up until last year, he still drove and lived by himself on his three-acre property in Huntingdon Valley.
Born June 14, 1925, in Chicago, he grew up during the Great Depression and came of age during World War II.
His father had served in the Navy during World War I and returned to the service after Pearl Harbor, taking Stephenson's two older brothers with him. Robert was left behind with his mother and younger sister.
Stephenson remembered how his family was struggling financially. His father had begun building a home in Cleveland, Illinois, a town Stephenson recalled had a population of 108, but was called back to the Navy before the house was finished.
His mother returned to Philadelphia, while Stephenson went to live with an aunt who already had nine children.
“My aunt was a wonderful person,” he said. “She treated me terrific.”
Stephenson decided to join the Navy when he turned 17. He traveled to Philadelphia to obtain his mother's signature and enlisted.
He was initially assigned to the USS Shangri-La, an aircraft carrier headed toward the Pacific. But because his father and two brothers were already serving in the Pacific, Stephenson was transferred to the USS Franklin under a Navy policy intended to prevent multiple members of the same immediate family from being placed in the same danger zone.
“I complained to the personnel officer,” Stephenson recalled. “I said all my buddies and family members are on the Shangri-La.”
He ultimately spent his service handling records for a photographic squadron, including personnel records and aerial mapping records. He served four years in the Navy before returning home.
“I’m proud to have served,” Stephenson said. “I enjoyed my time in the Navy.”
After returning from the Navy, Stephenson settled in the Philadelphia area and eventually began building a life of his own. Shortly after getting married, he purchased a lot in Casey Farms in Huntingdon Valley and began building a house for his family.
The project took three years to complete. Stephenson and his wife, Helene, lived in the home for 30 years, raising their children there.
“I was married for 75 years,” Stephenson said. “I met her at a veterans dance at the armory in Philadelphia, and I never looked around after that. We hit it off from the beginning. We had a good marriage.”
Together they raised three children, and the family has since grown to include five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His family members remain close by, with many living in Bucks County.
Stephenson continued his education after the war, attending night classes through the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania while working. He studied accounting before eventually starting his own office equipment business.
In 1964, he founded RL Stephenson Inc. The company grew into a successful office furniture and equipment business, while Stephenson also spent years traveling, conducting auctions selling office-related furniture and equipment.
Today, the auction business has moved online, but the office furniture business remains active with his son Wayne running the business.
Stephenson's ability to create a home and a successful business after growing up with very little is one of the qualities that continues to impress his grandson.
“He inspires me knowing he came from very little, and built his business, his home, he did it on his own without much help,” Andrew, who also works at the family business, said. “He found a way to make it work.”
Schmidt, who worked as an auctioneer for the Auction House, said he admired what Stephenson accomplished.
“His success really inspired me and the fact that he was able to do so much with so little at the very beginning,” Schmidt said. “He just made things happen all of his life.”
Stephenson's work ethic extends beyond his business. Andrew said his grandfather has always kept busy with projects, whether working with tools, maintaining a woodshop, gardening or taking care of his property.
“He’s always moving and doing something,” Andrew said. “He doesn’t like to stay home and sit.”
Stephenson said he has no interest in stopping.
Stephenson's military service has continued to receive recognition. Veterans Care Coordination named him its Veteran of the Month for June 2025, recognizing his World War II service as well as the life he built after returning home. The organization described his story as one of dedication, resilience and perseverance.
The recognition was followed by another honor this year when U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick presented Stephenson with a flag recognizing his World War II service and a presidential birthday card commemorating his 101st birthday.
In remarks honoring Stephenson, Fitzpatrick called him one of Southampton's “true Hometown Heroes.”
“Robert entered the world under the very symbol he would one day serve,” Fitzpatrick said, referring to Stephenson's June 14 birthday, which falls on Flag Day.
Fitzpatrick also highlighted Stephenson's continued activity at 101.
“He is still active. Still sharp. Still strong. Still proud,” Fitzpatrick said.
Stephenson accepted the recognition of his military service with the same modesty that has characterized his reflections on his life.
When asked what he is most proud of, he offered a simple answer.
“To be living this long.”
Looking back, Stephenson said he wants people to see someone who managed to succeed during a difficult time and overcome the obstacles he encountered along the way.
That outlook is reflected in the life he has built, from growing up during the Depression and serving his country during World War II to establishing a business, raising a family and continuing to work well into his second century.
He is also writing an autobiography, giving him an opportunity to record that story in his own words.
“I’m starting an autobiography,” he said. “I’m writing it myself.”
And tomorrow, as he has done for much of his life, he plans to keep moving forward.
MORE: Eligible Pennsylvania veterans can receive up to $1,600 in aid
