Humble Carpenter’s Dying Wish To Help 33 People In Need Go College Fulfilled

Aug 23, 2019 by apost team

The story of an Iowa carpenter is encouraging people all over the world to be generous. 

Dale Schroeder lived a frugal life. When he died in 2005 at the age of 86, his only possessions were two pairs of jeans and a rugged old truck. Working at the same company for 67 years, Dale never married or had children, leaving this world unmourned by a loving wife or grateful children.

But Dale left a gift behind that changed the lives of dozens of people forever.

Thanks to his amazing budgeting, Dale had amassed an impressive fortune of $3 million. Rather than spending it on himself, Dale made it his mission to use the money he earned to improve the lives of others.

Coming from a poor family, Dale never got to go to college. As such, upon his death, Dale willed that all of his $3 million fortune be used to help kids in small towns in Iowa go to college. Steve Nielsen, his friend, described Dale to KCCI News as a simple man whose gift was intended to help kids like he was who couldn’t seek higher education without outside help.

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In total, Dale helped 33 people go to college and achieve their dreams. Kira Conrad was one person helped by Dale’s amazing act of generosity. Speaking to CNN, Kira said that she always wanted to be a therapist, but that the prospects of achieving her dream were limited as she comes from a single-parent family and had three other siblings.

When Kira found out that Dale’s gift had paid for her $80,000 tuition, she became emotional. "I broke down into tears immediately," she said to CNN. 

To commemorate the 14th anniversary of Dale’s death and to show how much they appreciated his generosity, the 33 people that Dale helped go to college recently held a special dinner in his honor. According to CNN, many recipients of Dale's generosity are now doctors, teachers, and therapists. 

Having never fathered any children of his own, Dale would be proud to know that all the people that he helped now call themselves “Dale’s kids.” While the graduates that Dale helped can never repay him for paying the cost of their education, they vow to follow Dale’s example in making the world a better place and paying it forward.

What do you think of this story? We know that not all heroes wear capes but isn't it amazing how a humble, unassuming man like Dale used all his life savings to pay for the college education of 33 people? Tell us what you think in the comments below.