When Leonard Loflin was 15, growing up on 64th and McKinley in Tacoma, his mother Irene decided to encourage him and his two sisters to pick up an activity.

Loflin gravitated toward music and decided to learn the accordion. Life happened, though, and through the years, he fell out of playing.

Now at the age of 87, Loflin, a resident at Village Green Retirement Campus in Federal Way, threw down some money for a shiny new accordion from a music store in Seattle.

In the quiet evening hours, Loflin plunks out the polka tunes he remembers from childhood.

“I love to play polka music on the accordion,” Loflin said. “’Beer Barrel Polka’ is a favorite song of mine to play.”

Playing the accordion at night, and also the electric keyboard, helps him to relax.

Just two years ago, Loflin retired after 56 years in the dental profession, a field of work he was fortunate to have thanks to the G.I. Bill, which got him into dental school at the University of Washington.

At first, dentistry was just a job, a way to make a paycheck, Loflin said. But very quickly, he grew to love it and acquired a real passion for it.

“I enjoyed meeting people and taking care of their needs, whether it was for aesthetic reasons, relieving pain, or helping kids straighten their teeth and have a better smile,” Loflin said.

For all of those 56 years Loflin practiced in Browns Point. His wife Diane of 38 years, was his office manager and an integral part of the staff.

“She was the boss,” Loflin chuckled.

Following retirement, Loflin and his wife moved to Village Green. Sadly, Diane passed away last January.

Living in a single bedroom unit in Village Green’s Fairfield building, Loflin said he’s made many friends. He stays active as the vice president of the Resident’s Council, a board composed of Village Green residents who organize activities and events for their peers.

Though his dentist days are past, Loflin said he continues to help people smile.

“I like to make people laugh,” Loflin said.

And it’s hard to not smile and laugh, maybe just a little, when Loflin exclaims, “Hot Dog!” whenever he agrees with something someone said.

Lisa Valdes, the general manager at Village Green, said Loflin is a character and a funny guy. Staying positive is center to Loflin’s core.

“I think you should be very happy every day,” Loflin said. “Always think positive. Try to enjoy every day.”