In Iowa, US, a carpenter from a humble background saved his earnings over the course of his life and used them to send 33 people to college. People he had never met and would never meet.
Dale Schroeder was a simple, humble man from Iowa, who ended up changing the lives of 33 people forever. Schroeder worked as a carpenter at the same company for 67 years. He grew up poor and had no wife or children of his own.
His friend Steve Nielsen described Schroeder as a “blue collar, lunch pail kind of guy.”
When he died in 2005, no one could have guessed how rich Schroeder really was. “He had church jeans and work jeans,” Nielsen said.
Schroeder had saved up a fortune over the years. He had no living descendants, so before he died, he went to his lawyer with a plan for his money.
“He said, ‘I never got the opportunity to go to college. So, I’d like to help kids go to college,'” Nielsen said. Not only did Schroeder have enough money to send a few kids to college, he had enough saved to send dozens.
The rest of Dale Schroeder’s story can be found here.

Dale Schroeder, photo from Newsweek
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Wow. That was a true unselfish act. Thanks for sharing his story.
Thank you Cheryl. Dale was a symbol of selflessness.
What a wonderful story, Peter. The total selfless nature of this man’s life and his legacy are inspiring on so many levels.
This is true giving. Thanks for sharing the story, Peter.
Thank you, Damyanti. It is a truly touching story. Thank you for co-hosting.
Thank you, Dan. His friend said that he had one jeans for church and another for work. He literally sacrificed his life to save others, sending people he didn’t even know to college so that they could have better lives. It is such a profound act of love. May his soul find eternal peace.
I read that, Peter. It’s amazing.
Thanks.
What a seriously heart-warming story – thank you for sharing this one.
Thank you, Deborah. It is indeed heartwarming.
Thanks Peter – what a forward thinking and selfless man. His gift to all those 33 children will surely be carried forward. May Dale Schroeder have eternal peace –
Thank you too Susan. He did an exemplary thing and I hope too that he finds peace.
Hi Peter – how absolutely wonderful to read … completely selfless, yet realising what a huge benefit education is … amazing man – we need more like him. As you mention above – it’s exemplary … just fantastic – cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary. How are you? Dale Schroeder was too kind and too wise, wanting the best for others even as he denied himself. I’m glad to have heard about him.