After an hour of water play at the Propstra Aquatic Center in Vancouver, WA, the Highest Education co-op spend time talking about a local legend who gave much of his wealth to benefit the community. George Propstra (1914-2004), made a small fortune as the founder of the Burgerville chain and spent the final 15 years of his life giving millions back.
Judy, an 85 year old woman who worked at a Burgerville when it opened in the early 80’s, said she met George on one of his visits to the local chain. He offered to pay a meal for Judy, which she kindly accepted.
George was a “tremendous, tremendous guy. I loved that man. Totally unselfish. You don’t get citizens better than George for any community. I get a lump in my throat saying that,” said a business man of the community who knew George personally.
Mr. Propstra left a legacy for all of us to follow. He became Vancouver’s leading philanthropist since retiring from business in 1992. Before he passed away, George and Carolyn Propstra donated more than $13 million to community causes, both big and small.
Long live people who are generous and kind! When you make your community better, you put more into it than what you took out of it. May our highest education be to learn and practice the character of God wherever we go! Thank you for making Highest Education all it can be to improve the lives of families in the community!
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