Richard Leroy Walters gets a bit more shocking -
An article in the online newsletter of a Catholic mission in Phoenix revealed that Walters died two years ago at the age of 76. He left an estate worth about $4 million. Along with the money he left for NPR, Walters also left money for the mission.
But something distinguished Walters from any number of solvent, well-to-do Americans with seven-figure estates: He was homeless.
Walters was a retired engineer from AlliedSignal Corp.; an honors graduate of Purdue with a master’s degree; and a Marine. Walters never married, didn’t have children and was estranged from his brother. But he wasn’t friendless.
Rita Belle, a registered nurse, met Walters at a senior center 13 years ago.
“He always came in with a little backpack on and a cap on,” Belle tells Siegel. “And always kind of looked at me, but [was] very reserved. And I’m very outgoing and outspoken. So I said to him, ‘Hey, you got a minute can we sit down to visit?’ And we’d have coffee there at the senior center.”
Belle and Walters became friends. Belle stayed with Walters when he was ill. She became his nurse and ultimately the executor of his estate — as well as one of the beneficiaries — despite fundamental differences between them.
July 28th, 2009 7:36 pm
What a story. The only difference I would like with my life and his is that I give most of my money away to godly causes before I die. It is so easy to give it away when we are dead. I have seen churches fight over the dead persons money and I would like to avoid that… of course I guess I would avoid it if I was dead
At this childless point in my life I don’t think I want to leave my children any money. I would rather leave them with the memory that I was a good giver and steward with what God loaned to me. I hope this habit would become theirs.
Still an interesting story.
July 28th, 2009 7:37 pm
Oh, I didn’t notice that I was on your blogroll. I will get you added to my new one as well. Thanks.
July 28th, 2009 7:48 pm
I posted a link to this page on my blog. What an amazing story, and how sad that he no doubt suffered from mental illness to be homeless and yet wealthy. So many untreated mental patients out on the street.
July 29th, 2009 1:00 pm
Hot Dog!!
July 29th, 2009 1:02 pm
Dang!! Hot Dog, not Hot God… I need to proof read my comments
July 28th, 2009 7:51 pm
I find it refreshing and reminding that an atheist would do this great act of charity. I do not want to give my children (2, 1 on the way) everything – except for the ability to love and appreciate. If I came into money, would I leave it to them? I hope to leave them a little, but the greatest thing, like you, is to leave them with the habit of selflessness.
July 28th, 2009 7:51 pm
Not a problem, David. I never would have asked, but thanks!
July 28th, 2009 7:52 pm
I’ve seen some comments on other sites criticizing the man for taking up bedspace! Too many fail to see the causes of poverty, Ginger, mental illness being one of them.
July 28th, 2009 10:03 pm
The old man in the story was an Atheist? I didn’t read that.
July 28th, 2009 10:18 pm
Yep, and left it all to Catholic Charities and NPR!
July 28th, 2009 10:20 pm
David, congrats! You are my 10,000th comment! You win 10 million Wordpress bonus points. Only slightly less valuable than those little points you get from Mallow cups, you got a lot of ‘em!
July 29th, 2009 1:07 pm
That’s alright – I’ll fix it for you!