WWII vet frozen to death leaves estate to hospital

CNN ^ | 2/5/2009 | Wayne Drash

[Red in Blue PA]

(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.

[ottbmare]

So if he had half a million dollars, why didn’t he pay his heating bill??

[Yo-Yo]

"I just know at one time he said he had over $600,000 in savings,"

But he couldn't pay his electric bill?

[MyTwoCopperCoins]

I remember reading somewhere that he had an envelope with the money for the electricity bill, on a table in his house.

[GrannyK]

I think he is the one I heard about on the news, he had all the bills ready to pay with the money paper clipped to them, just wasn’t able to get out to pay them. How sad, huh?

[Arguendo]

His death was avoidable, but I’d say his relatives have a greater responsibility to look out for him (he was obviously in no condition to be living on his own) than the power company does.

[patton]

Tragic. He was killed by government.

[Badeye]

Unbelievable.

[patton]

Maybe that is why he left the cash to a hospital.

[Gigantor]

So you have no problem with the power company cutting off his source of heat in zero degree weather...

[gracesdad]

“So if he had half a million dollars, why didn’t he pay his heating bill??”

Have you ever heard of dementia?

[Red in Blue PA]

The guy had more class in his left pinkie finger than exists on all of Wall Street.

[Red in Blue PA]

Some people here, don’t, and that is pathetic.

Especially to someone who served in WWII.

[Badeye]

Thats not exactly a high standard friend.

[Red in Blue PA]

Touche.

[BnBlFlag]

“But he ccouldn’t pay his electric bill?”
The guy was 93 years old. He probably wasn’t on top of his mental game.

[DvdMom]

It was reported in another news article that he suffered from Alzheimer’s disease ....

[RckyRaCoCo]

I’d say his relatives have a greater responsibility to look out for him...

While they didn't have time for him I'm sure they'll now make time to hire lawyers to get a share of that stash.

[DvdMom]

It was reported in another news article that he suffered from Alzheimer’s disease ....

[nbhunt]

A lot of elderly may have the money but no way to get it to the biller. A lack of memory, ability, and just plain old every day cognizance's My mother-in-law was that way...she had the money, but did not write checks, did'nt trust the bank to have the money. While she could still drive, she would go, in person, and pay the utilities with cash. When she could not drive anymore, we took her. Finally the family took up the act of paying her bills with her money. And this poor man had no one to help him out.