Roy Sullivan worked as a park ranger in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Between 1942 and 1977, he was struck by lightning seven times and survived every one, a record recognized by Guinness World Records. The first strike, in April 1942, hit him in a fire lookout tower and burned a strip down his right leg, tearing a hole through his shoe. In July 1969, lightning came through the open window of his truck on a mountain road and burned off his eyebrows and eyelashes. A year later he was hit in his own front yard. In 1972 he was struck inside a ranger station, and his hair caught fire. In August 1973, a bolt traveled down his arm and leg and threw a shoe off his foot. He was hit again in June 1976, injuring an ankle, and for the seventh time in June 1977 while fishing, burning his chest and stomach. His wife was struck once as well, while hanging laundry in their yard. Sullivan reportedly came to believe something about him drew the strikes, and colleagues were said to avoid standing near him in storms. He retired in 1977 and died in 1983, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Memorable historical photos: