A young adult’s decision to purchase a house or car may be hindered by lingering student debt. Though it is often a requirement for professional jobs, a college degree isn’t easily accessible to kids due to its financial costs. With student debt affecting one’s future plans, a college education may be troublesome or simply not an option for underprivileged kids. In the central city of Iowa, Ames, frugal carpenter, Dale Schroeder understood this problem. Raised in poverty without a college education, Schroeder spent 67 years of his life savings to fund college education for others.
His Dying Wish
Schroeder lived a minimal lifestyle and worked in the same carpentry company, Des Moines business for 67 years. He owned two pairs of jeans, drove an old Chevrolet truck, had no children and was unmarried. (2) Schroeder had a wish to send local kids to college as he did not have the opportunity himself. Schroeder saved $3 million to fulfill his wish. The 33 adults who benefited from Schroeder’s financial assistance never met him.
The Plan
Before his death in 2005, Schroeder met his attorney, Steve Nielsen with the decision to pay for college tuition for underprivileged kids through his life savings. Nielsen was surprised when he learned the amount of money Schroeder saved for this cause. (2) “He wanted to help kids that were like him that probably wouldn’t have an opportunity to go to college but for his gift,” said Nielsen to New York Post. Schroeder was known as a shy, simple and frugal man. (2)
The Beneficiaries
Like many aspiring professionals, Kira Conrad dreamt of attending college. The youngest sister who was raised by a single parent, Conrad was doubtful of fulfilling her dream. Conrad’s circumstances pointed to the reality of many kids, including Schroeder’s, of not being able to afford college. Instead of celebrating the completion of high school, Conrad was ready to tell her friends she would not attend college at her graduation party.
Conrad was the last of the 33 beneficiaries of Schroeder’s financial assistance. Schroeder paid $80,000 tuition fee for Kira without ever meeting her. (2) Kira pursued a career in therapy while being debt-free. “For a man that would never meet me to give me basically a full ride to college,” said Conrad to New York Post. “That’s incredible. That doesn’t happen.” (1)
Paying It Forward
The 33 adults met 14 years after Schroeder’s death to honor him and celebrate their achievements. This 2019 celebration turned into a conversation about the impact Schroeder made on their lives. (2). Claiming the title of Dale’s Kids, the adults accepted the condition Nielsen expressed on behalf of Schroeder. “All we ask is that you pay it forward,” Nielsen said to Newsweek. “You can’t pay it back, because Dale’s gone. But you can remember him and you can emulate him.” Schroeder’s financial contributions went beyond career opportunities. His legacy encourages the 33 adults to change the lives of others and pass on their gift. By paying it forward, more dreams of pursuing a college education are fulfilled with one positive action at a time.
