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Modest life leaves legacy of giving

Jim Gehrz, Star Tribune

Arnold Meleen’s niece, as executor to his estate, donated $1 million to the Salvation Army. The gift helped the organization build its Harbor Light Shelter in downtown Minneapolis, which opened with a worship service and dedication ceremony on June 28.

Arnold Meleen left fortune, and sense of generosity, to younger family members.

By JOY PETERSEN, Special to the Star Tribune

Last update: October 15, 2009 - 12:13 PM

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Arnold Meleen didn't leave behind a wife or children. He didn't invest in a house or boat. He didn't purchase extravagant things. In fact, he lived frugally in a one-bedroom apartment in south Minneapolis for much of his life with his sister and mother.

However, during his 105 years, Meleen -- who worked his entire career for the city of Minneapolis as an electrician -- and his sister, Eleanor, saved more than $3 million -- all to give away in the end.

"For the life he lived and what he did, he could've lived like a king," said Meleen's niece, Elaine Benson. Instead, he slept on a foldaway bed in the living room and stored his belongings in a small hall closet.

His estate of $3.1 million included money that had come from Eleanor's estate after she died in 1990, and that, too, had multiplied over the years through investment.

Just before he passed away in 2007, Meleen spoke candidly with Benson. Together, they had made plans for giving away the money to Meleen's favorite causes. But in his final days, he thought perhaps he should leave it to Benson herself. "He said to me, 'I made a mistake. It's all yours,' " Benson recalled last week.

Benson didn't know what to do. "You never know, until it hits you, what decision you're going to make."

But because of the example he had set, Benson knew the money needed to go to help others.

As a lifetime giver to the Salvation Army, Meleen had donated more than $14,000 to the charity. His niece, as executor of his estate, decided to go with their original plan and donate another $1 million to further the programs of the mission.

The organization put his donation toward the construction of its new Harbor Light Chapel in downtown Minneapolis, a $2.6 million project. The chapel, which offers meals and basic medical care in addition to religious services, was dedicated on June 28, and the Bensons attended a celebration service at the chapel on Oct. 1, at which Meleen was recognized again for his donation.

Darryl Leedom, the Salvation Army's Twin Cities commander, said the gift is a "testimony of his character and his life."

"I think through his contribution, a living legacy is made real," Leedom said.

Through his estate, he also left Dunwoody College a sum of money, described as less than $50,000, to use as a scholarship fund. Meleen had graduated from Dunwoody College of Technology in 1934 before going on to work for the city of Minneapolis as an electrician.

Frank Starke, president emeritus at Dunwoody, knew Meleen and said: "He was made up the right way."

He remained able-bodied and lucid until he passed away, Starke and Benson said. Starke noted that Meleen drove his own car until he was 102.

Meleen lived a quiet life. It consisted of work, spiritual time and family time, Starke said. "He was a great American with a big heart, but never made a noise."

Meleen also contributed to Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca, Minn., where he had grown up on his family's farm, and to Camp Courage and the Society for the Blind.

And his giving didn't stop there. Though he had no children, family was always a priority for him. Benson said Meleen spent Christmas, Thanksgiving and any other holiday with her family. And for each of his 25 great-grand nieces and -nephews, Meleen set up college funds worth $40,000.

He died two weeks after his 105th birthday. His nephew, Lloyd Benson, 83, said it was as if he postponed death to be a part of the celebration, which 56 of his 64 relatives attended.

"That was his day."

Joy Petersen is a Minneapolis freelance writer.

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