Looks like some of you were right. The old man had the means, but chose to spend it otherwise. Sounds a lot like my Mother.
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."
"Knowing my uncle, that's him," Walworth said. "He loved his community. He loved Bay City, Michigan."
