Just before his death in 2005, a carpenter named Dale Schroeder donated his life savings to help local poor students go to college. Although growing up poor and living a frugal lifestyle, he had amassed $3 million in savings. In the 14 years since his death, his donation sent 33 students to college.

[u/DearestDoodlebug]

[u/ChemistVegetable7504]

I remember hearing this story. From what i remember, he never had any children of his own.

[u/BMB281 → u/[deleted]]

I can confirm, I’m not his kid

[u/-password-invalid- → u/[deleted]]

Explains how he had money.

[u/Bobby_Skywalker → u/-password-invalid-]

Back in those days if you worked a regular job and were frugal you could save money.

[u/Immediate-Can9337 → u/-password-invalid-]

There are videos about an old parking attendant who talks about the stock market all day. He became a millionaire but still kept his job.

[u/Satchmoses88 → u/[deleted]]

That’s the most San Francisco story I have ever read

[u/Onemoredonutplease → u/[deleted]]

Maybe it was a way to experience authentic relationships. I imagine money can mess up relationships.

[u/Icy-Rope-021 → u/Onemoredonutplease]

Money is an enabler. It reveals who you are. We now know who Elon is.

[u/Greedyfox7 → u/[deleted]]

Who knows, maybe he thought they’d appreciate it more that way or something.

[u/Opp-Contr]

In civilised countries, college education is free.

[u/Oldie124 → u/Opp-Contr]

Yeah I was just thinking this, sad that it takes the kindness of another person to send someone to college when in most developed countries it’s a inalienable right

[u/Table_Corner → u/Opp-Contr]

*In mostly rich countries.

Also, you reminded me of this meme:

[u/ImRightImRight → u/Opp-Contr]

If you're serious about it, you have to invest in yourself. Otherwise it's wasted money that could be spent on other societal needs

[u/Own-Zucchini4869 → u/Opp-Contr]

In civilized countries, stupid people don't get to go to university for free

[u/2Beer_Sillies → u/Opp-Contr]

“Civilised countries” lol. It’s not free for you either. You pay more for it your entire life through taxes.

[u/madamekelsington → u/2Beer_Sillies]

It’s a sunk cost when you’re expecting to pay it already.

The tax rates are marginally higher but the benefits are much greater.

[u/lethalweapon100 → u/2Beer_Sillies]

Stop, you’re ruining the circlejerk

[u/JustABritishChap]

That's an average of $90k per student. That seems a lot. . unless that is the normal Uni rate for Americans.

[u/moodiejunie → u/JustABritishChap]

It is, unfortunately.

[u/Sroundez → u/moodiejunie]

Pick more affordable schools. It shouldn't be much over 25k tuition only to achieve a 4 year degree.

[u/GroundbreakingOil527 → u/Sroundez]

At 20k a year, probably 5k of it is tuition and rest room/board

[u/Ok_Neighborhood6697 → u/Sroundez]

I graduated from a state college in 1999. The cost at that time was $154 per credit hour. Thats over $18k for 4 yrs. My same school right now is $520 per credit hour which is more than $62K for 4 yrs. I get it is 25 yrs later but 3 times the cost per credit hour. And minimum wage which I was working for back then to put myself through school WITH student loans, has barely moved. How can young people that dont come from wealth get a college education anymore?

[u/ActiveProfile689 → u/JustABritishChap]

I think they mean scholarships so far. The money must be invested by the school.

[u/According-Mention334]

Ah what an amazing human being

[u/CrystalSerene → u/[deleted]]

thats what i thought too. such a great thing from that man. and then all you could do is let only 33 people study?

imagine, 3 mill could buy 1700 metric tons of organic bananas. how many chimps you could become friends with!!!

[u/Specific_Success214]

A real everyday hero.

[u/Bufo_Stupefacio]

Always cool to see this story posted, my brother-in-law was one of the recipients of Dale's scholarship.

[u/Muted-Secretary7542]

Real life Scott’s Tots 🥲

[u/egoodman36 → u/Muted-Secretary7542]

Scrolled to find this comment

[u/ActiveProfile689]

Amazing person

[u/Successful-Mix-2416]

Only 33? That’s so ridiculous. So expensive

[u/MLGMegalodon → u/Successful-Mix-2416]

Average tuition for an out of state university in the US is 30,000 a year

[u/elycezahn]

Whatever happened to the people who were awarded this money? What became of them? How did their lives change for going to college?

[u/PuzzledMix9538]

In a World of selfish greedy scum bags it’s wonderful to read stories like this!

[u/lostredditers]

And republicans are mad to this day that trump and Elon didn't get to stop him with a doge tarrif ensuring every American making under 6 figures a year never get into the privileged tax class that gets all the breaks. Oligarchs in America.

[u/granbleurises]

Now that, is the true definition of a man. What a stud.

[u/EyeDirect3477]

90k per student? Damn that’s almost twice as much as my local state university’s 4 year tuition.

[u/dpetro03]

Some heros don’t wear capes and do not need to….

[u/CookiesOrChaos]

What a waste of his money

[u/imyonlyfrend]

wat a waste

[u/intrstrd]

Need to start saving

[u/[deleted]]

It’s crazy how 3mil only helped 33 people though. This guys a legend still

[u/Few-Imagination-6273]

90k to go to college? Sounds like some of his money got embezzled

[u/VirginiaLuthier]

Probably never had a latte or avacado toast in his life

[u/Immediate-Can9337]

Only 33? That kind of money will sponsor a lot more college students in top-rated schools elsewhere.

[u/Secret_Rush7083]

Dang that is so awesome we need more people like him in this world