By Marilyn Somers and Roger Slavens
At 103 years old, Sam Ledbetter, ME 34, ranks as Georgia Tech’s oldest living alumnus. In more than a century on this planet, Ledbetter has seen and done a lot, so his most recent birthday wish may surprise you: to finally get a ride in the Institute’s legendary Ramblin’ Wreck.
When the Alumni Association told him that this could be arranged, his response was that of a true child of the Great Depression: It would be too expensive. We assured Ledbetter that in honor of his 103rd birthday, granting him this opportunity would be our honor and privilege.
On a sun-filled afternoon in October, Ledbetter got his dream ride around Tech Campus — chauffeured by student Wreck driver Hillary Degenkolb. Along the way, he also met President G.P. “Bud” Peterson and was treated to a rousing rendition of his favorite song —the “Ramblin’ Wreck,” of course—by the Glee Club.
When the ride was over, Ledbetter was asked what he thought of the Wreck, and he candidly responded: “It needs shocks!” Old automobiles are rough rides for old bones, after all, but seeing Ledbetter ride around in style in that gold and white vehicle brought smiles to all lucky enough to witness it.
Sam Ledbetter, ME 34, long knew he wanted to go to Georgia Tech. His father died in the flu epidemic of 1918, leaving Ledbetter’s mother to raise five children by herself. He also learned to be frugal from an early age. Lawn care jobs and newspaper routes, along with a Navy ROTC stipend, eventually enabled Ledbetter to attend Tech. After “getting out,” Ledbetter served in the military from 1940 through 1945, with WWII duty in Sicily, North Africa, France and Frankfurt. His professional career spanned 46 years—33 with Jervis B. Webb in commercial sales of automotive equipment and 13 with Imperial Oil & Grease. Later in life, Ledbetter took up horology and learned to build and repair clocks.
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