Martin Schur, 93, Froze to Death After Power Company Shuts Electricity Off for Non-Payment, Leaves Entire Estate Valued at Over $500,000, To Hospital

Photo: Martin Schur, wife Marian Schur (CNN)

Could someone please explain to me how 93-year World War II medic Martin Schur could freeze to death because the electric company shut his power down, but he could leave $500,000 to a Bay Area hospital? Where is the logic in that? Local and state officials agree that Schur’s death was avoidable. Hello. He could have taken $1,000 out of his estate and paid his electricity bill.

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.” Source: CNN

That is a shame. Walworth reportedly said that 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.” So, he was frugal to the point where freezing to death was the best alternative? Now we see who was really his God — money.

Schur’s frozen body was found in his home January 17, just four days after a device that regulates how much power he used, which was installed because of failure to pay, was shut off. A medical examiner said the temperature was 32 degrees in the house when Schur’s body was found. The death had prompted a review of Bay City Electric Light & Power’s procedures for limiting or cutting off power. The sad thing is that there are people who cannot pay their bills for reasons beyond their control, but to see that this man was stockpiling his money and clearly not in dire need as he portrayed is unconscionable. Schur slowly killed himself. The power company fell in step with his callous and selfish behavior. Sorry, I have no sympathy for this man. He literally killed himself.

Filed under: Bay Area, Bay City Electric Light, Entire Estate, Froze to Death, Frugal, Limiters, Martin Schur