Elderly man who froze to death cuz power was cutoff was worth $500,000. He was 'frugal'

[Liberal_in_LA]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/04/freezing.death.folo/index.html

WWII vet frozen to death leaves estate to hospital

Martin Schur, 93, froze to death in his home last month; leaves estate to hospital

Attorney won't disclose amount; relative says it's likely in excess of $500,000

"Hopefully his death is not in vain and we can learn from this," nephew says

The death has prompted a state investigation into the manner in which he died

By Wayne Drash
CNN

(CNN) -- A 93-year-old World War II medic who froze to death last month in his Bay City, Michigan, home left his entire estate to a local hospital, an estate attorney told CNN Wednesday.


Martin Schur poses with his wife, Marian, in 1976. Local and state officials agree that Schur's death was avoidable.

1 of 3 The attorney would not disclose the exact amount left behind by Martin Schur. But his nephew said his uncle indicated to family members two years ago that he had saved up more than a half-million dollars over the years. Schur and his wife, Marian, who died more than a year ago, did not have any children.

"I just know at one time he said he had over $600,000 in savings," said William Walworth. "That's what he told me and my brother, and he was proud that he was able to save and build his estate up to that."

Cathy Reder, an attorney negotiating on behalf of Bay Regional Medical Center and the Schur family, said she was filing paperwork in probate court Wednesday for the court to determine the validity of the will. A hearing has been set for March 17.

Reder would not specify the amount left to the hospital, other than to say it's more than $1.

"The will leaves everything to Bay Medical Center," she said.

The hospital had no immediate comment.

Walworth said his uncle was a frugal man who hadn't eaten at a restaurant for over 30 years. "He was very tight, and he was very frugal. But he did manage to save a lot of money."

He said it's possible his uncle's estate could be less than $600,000, but he believes it's still "sizable."

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Did his frugality cost him his life?

Yikes.

[kestrel91316]

5. More likely his isolation from anyone who might have become aware of

overdue bills and acted on his behalf, and probably a little mental deterioration due to age.

Very sad. He didn't need to die. He didn't even need to be cold. He was nearly one of those millionaires next-door.

[MadMaddie]

7. The bills were sitting on the table with money attached to them

It seems he was forgetfull maybe dementia.

But I would think that in the middle of winter all cases should be evaluated before turning off the power.

[question everything]

9. Especially when dealing with the elderly (nt)

[Nikia]

15. In WI they don't turn off the power on anyone

During the winter. I think that it is from Nov. to April.

[MadMaddie]

18. And that's the way it should be.

This is negligent homicide. The company should be held accountable.

[LisaL]

31. He was old and

that likely to have much more to do with his death than the fact that he was frugal.

[w4rma]

2. You can't take it with you. Sorry. (nt)

[aikoaiko]

3. Now that DU knows he was rich, some will want to eat him.

[Zywiec]

8. LOL - Exactly n/t

[BlooInBloo]

12. Hero to zero in $500,000 flat.

DUers are really wonderful folks sometimes.

[zagging]

13. Only fresh, organically grown elderly fit the bill.

[readmoreoften]

17. Life savings of $500,000 when you're excessively frugal is not "rich."

And a 92 year old African-American working class man is not likely among the "elite". But enough of responding to your red-baiting...

[LisaL]

32. It's been reported from the beginning he had money.

[aikoaiko]

36. Maybe, but not in the thread I first saw.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=4934303#4934772

[Liberal_in_LA]

54. I didn't know this either.

[CTyankee]

38. But he didn't "live" rich. Living rich is what annoys DUers more than just having

it. And besides, the poor guy was obviously just too old to take care of himself.

My mother got too old to take care of herself. She was frugal as she lived thru the Depression. People gotta understand that that generation went thru a lot and learned a big lesson from the Depression.

I had to move my mother into assisted living and sell her house. She was really angry with me but I had to do it. Eventually, she understood. She lived in a great facility and I will always be grateful to them for the comfort and care they gave her.

[aikoaiko]

43. True, very true.

I suppose my joke was about the way some people on DU have very different experience of empathy when they hear someone is flat broke versus having some wealth.

[lonestarnot]

41. Rich.

Hmmmf. Did he try to make us pay for a junket, a jet, a party, or gold toilets?

[aikoaiko]

42. I suppose people have different definitions of rich.

[lonestarnot]

45. Top 5%.

[aikoaiko]

51. I wonder what the lower limit of the top 5% for net assets is in the US?

I wouldn't be surprised if it is less than 500K.

[lonestarnot]

56. Not hardly.

[NashVegas]

4. 'A neighbor who lives down the street called Schur's death "unforgivable."'

I wonder that neighbor didn't check in on him.

[depakid]

11. Death due to declining social capital in America

Some say that a long economic downturn will reverse that trend; my belief is that due to the nature (and conditioning) of most Americans over the past several decades- it will amplify it.

[LisaL]

34. Are you checking on your neighbors? Do you know what they are

doing?
Do tell.

[liberalmuse]

6. Well, he's dead now.

I'm not normally callous, but shit, that's just stupid. And people are going hungry and are cold who have no money whatsoever. It just doesn't fucking make sense.

[varelse]

16. "The will leaves everything to Bay Medical Center,"

According to his nephew, William Walworth:

"Knowing my uncle, that's him," Walworth said. "He loved his community. He loved Bay City, Michigan."

He added, "Hopefully his death is not in vain and we can learn from this, and he's still able to save lives. ... He was a very unique, special person in my life. I'm proud of what he was able to do in his life."

He said he hopes his uncle's message will spur others to "look out for their neighbor."

The size of the estate -- if it's as large as the nephew believes -- adds another tragic twist to Schur's death. The power company limited his electricity because he owed about $1,000.

[LisaL]

33. What doesn't make sense? A 93 years old guy living alone.

He probably had difficulty paying his bills due to his age. It doesn't matter how much money he had.

[arikara]

35. He was very old, maybe he had dementia

alzheimers or some other problem. Maybe he had bad arthritis and couldn't make it out to the mailbox. Unfortunately nobody including the nephew checked on the poor old fella.

[ljm2002]

52. Did you miss the part where he was 93 years old?????

I'm simply amazed that people find out the guy had money salted away, and all of a sudden that makes him "stupid" for not paying the bill.

Never mind that last week, we already knew he had the money clipped to the bill sitting on his kitchen table. Then, he may have been absent-minded or unable to get to the mailbox or whatever. But now that we know he also had a substantial net worth, now he's just "stupid".

93 years old is *old*. By the time anyone is 93 years old, they generally need some help getting by. I don't know who let him down on that score -- but it is clear as day that the municipal electricity company that turned the metering on was hard-hearted and negligent and caused this old gentleman's death. I thought most places with cold winters outlaw turning off utilities that are necessary to stay warm during the winter. Maybe "metering" isn't considered to be the same as "turning off". But it had the same effect.

Those of you who want to tag him as "stupid" or "stubborn" -- well, if you should live to the ripe old age of 93, maybe we'll hear from you again on this topic.

[SmileyRose]

10. How much was "asset" and how much was cash?

Technically I'm worth about $200 grand. My house is paid off, it's worth around $80 grand, I have 2 cars paid off worth a total of about $10 grand, the furnishings and equipment on my property are valued at about $30 grand for insurance purposes, we also have a few thou in savings and have a life insurance policy.

So when you say the guy has an estate worth $500 grand that doesn't say anything about the resources he actually had to pay for day to day spending. Though from the accounts in the article he may have had it, just not spent it.

[Scooter24]

14. I calculate my net worth based on all assets and cash minus outstanding debt

I include all liquid assets like cash, savings, investments, as well as personal property, various real estate holdings, vehicles, and things that I have insured like jewelry, paintings, etc.

I think in his case, this amount included all of his belongings including property.

[Liberal_in_LA]

24. Good point. What's the term for people with equity but little cash: House rich?

[Waiting For Everyman]

19. Shouldn't power companies have to call Senior Services before cutting them off?

Just seems logical. Why isn't that required?

[SmileyRose]

27. My power company doesn't know my age.

However, Georgia Power and Atlanta Gas Light do have a system whereby a customer can be tagged as having issues and will contact the alternate listed in the account before turning off services. We have this on our account now since my disabled uncle called to have services turned off in January. He was confused and thought he was in his house and about to move to ours. Now they have 3 alternate phone number for me and the husband to verify before turning off services. We have also put on a code word so no one can change our service without the code.

[riderinthestorm]

30. I don't believe that matters. We had renters with 3 children under 10 yrs.

They failed to pay their electric bill for 10 months due to a billing/address error (they didn't examine the lease and just 'ASSumed' their electric was paid by us, their landlord, when in reality the previous renters simply never called the electric company to stop service).

A mess.

But in January, in Illinois, Commonwealth Edison turned off their electric which operated the furnace, the well and everything else. When I, the landlord, phoned to complain along with the renters, that there were children in the house, dead of winter, in January, we were told "tough shit". Pay up or no reinstatement of services. It took a week AFTER I paid the bill, to get the electric restored.

They were without power for a little over 2 weeks. Com Ed could care less if there are kids, and I suppose the same goes for the elderly.

[cobalt1999]

20. Probably mentally ill then.

The money meant more than heat and joy.

[mwb970]

40. That's all I can think of too.

A normal person would not behave this way, would they? I'm not unsympathetic, he obviously needed help - but psychiatric help, not financial.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SmileyRose]

26. Usually, but not always true.

My great grandpa was 94, sharp as a tack and in remarkable health. He still drove, still did about a forth of the work on his farm and his "kin" did the rest. He died driving to his sister's house. He was hit by a logging truck that crossed the yellow line on a curve.

My father in law is in his late 80's and of more or less perfect health (excepting knees and one eye giving him fits). I would have no qualms at this point about him living alone, though we'd keep an eye on him quite often. Fortunately my mother in law is only in her 60's and can outrun most of her grandkids.

Just as we don't want to paint with a broad brush in other things, it's important to deal with aging on an individual basis as well.

[Alameda]

28. Excuse me? That sure is a sweeping statement.

How could you say people at 93 can barely think....what a biased statement that is!

[alittlelark]

22. In 23 years my Dad could be that guy.

He is Type A about paying utilities. He put a solar array on his roof - that may save him down the road.

[robinlynne]

23. But 500,000 severeal years ago could be gone after the stock market crash...?

[snot]

25. Yes.

[CTyankee]

39. not necessarily. I have some bond funds I inherited from my mother in 2005

that are still paying. I am receiving income from lots of her investments. She was a cautious investor. bonds and "widows and orphans" investments were her thing. paid off...

[robinlynne]

48. bonds. most people were in mutual funds and stocks. my savings is down 55%.

[CTyankee]

49. My annuities are down but I still get a percentage to take as income without annuitizing.

They will pay better when the stock market recovers. I'm not complaining. I feel lucky, actually, as I could not bear the thought of going back into the workforce after putting in 34 years of my life in hugely stressful jobs (mostly raising funds for nonprofits).

[TahitiNut]

29. He's a sad loss to our greater community. His adolescence was spent in the Great Depression.

At 93, he'd avoid going out in the cold. It's entirely possible that he hadn't kept up with postage stamp price increases and had difficulty figuring out what stamps to use, even if he had a checking account. MANY older people (my late stepfather included) strongly prefer using cash, keeping larger sums in a savings account and buying money orders for paying bills. I'm 65 and barely understand this -- and I doubt younger folks even come close.

I'm guessing the hospital cared for his wife when she died -- and perhaps he was grateful for their care. It's not at all unusual for spouses who've been married for a long time to die within a year or two of each other. The survivor has difficulty adjusting to lving alone, may have prolonged depression, and typically doesn't feel motivated (or oriented) to build a support network (especially males!).

In our neighborhoods, we often rationalize not "intruding" on older folks -- by saying we respect their privacy ... their "right to be left alone." That's something we can easily "understand" and even ARGUE is 'right.' (Even when it ain't.) Hell ... it might even be the reaction to clumsy ("charitable") efforts to maintain contact, too. (We all have our habits and pride.)

:cry:

[fujiyama]

37. What a truly awful scenario

First of all, the power companies are responsible for his death.

Second, I find this sort of isolation so sad. He's 93 and not one relative could check on him? What about this attorney? And now there's talk of money! Whooo Hooo! Bizarre story and doesn't speak well of what society values...

[Jokerman]

44. The fact that he had money may be irrelevant.

The first sign we had of my fathers eventual slow decline was when the local power company called me to tell me he was scheduled for disconnect.

Dad had SS, a decent union pension and several thousand in the bank, he just kinda "forgot" to pay his bills. At that point he let me start managing his finances and I found he had over twenty credit cards, some with trivial purchases followed by months worth of late charges.

As my dad's mind failed he became very depressed and that can make a person do things that are hard to explain.

[CTyankee]

47. It is SO important for folks to have an updated will with a designated

person to have durable power of attorney, medical POA and who is co-owner of your bank account. As POA and co-owner of my mother's accounts I could pay her bills and make lots of decisions for her. I had to learn all of these things from scratch with my mother and it has helped me enormously plan out my own situation.

[KharmaTrain]

46. The "Depression" Mindset...

93 years meant he was 13 when the market crashed in 1929 and spent a majority of the next 15 year either fighting the Depression or World War II and its shortages. These people grew up in a very insecure world...especially when it came to money...and no matter how much money you had, it wasn't enough. You never knew what was around the corner that could wipe you out. The need to save was always a key virtue to this generation...and so much so that these people usually paid with cash or check and were hard-pressed to take out any loan. I saw it in my own father...and as he grew older his insecurities grew as well...despite having plenty of money to afford the finer things, he, like this man, would spend only when he had to.

A sad story that was preventable and shines a light on the many elderly who become invisible to society (and sadly to families) when they get old.

[supernova]

50. So very true

My grandparents were subsistence farmers and sharecroppers..

I remember we had to take my grandmother into town every month, and take her to the bank. Just so she could make the teller add the few cents interest to her bank savings book. Remember those?

It was very sorrowful.

You just don't get over that kind of depravation. They didn't have grief counselors and all that back then. You just had to muddle through the best way you knew how.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

53. Poor man.

I was of delicate mind. I stepped aside for my needs,
Disdaining the common office. I was seen from afar and killed...
How is this matter for mirth? Let each man be judged by his deeds.
I have paid my price to live with myself on the terms that I willed.

Rudyard Kipling, Epitaphs from the 1st world war.

[4_TN_TITANS]

55. This almost sounds like a suicide to me...

albeit a painful one.