The Millionaire Next Door.... we will miss him..

Thomas Stanley, author of “The Millionaire Next Door”, a book oft discussed in this forum, was tragically killed in a senseless car accident Saturday. He was making a left on a 2 lane street into his neighborhood and some fool decided to pass him on the LEFT as he turned, taking out Stanley and his car (okj- the millionaire next door did have his beloved corvette- but don’t think it was flashy). http://www.ajc.com/news/news/millionaire-blockbuster-author-dies-in-crash/nkLxS/ I had to drive by (on) the site today and the road is still painted with orange marker paint. His daughter, a delightful woman, is a neighbor and active in our community. This is such a senseless accident and such a loss. He and his daughter, Sarah, were working on an updated version of his book. She will continue the work in his memory. Sincerest condolences to my neighbor and the Stanley family.

http://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Next-Door-Thomas-Stanley/dp/0671015206

http://www.forbes.com/sites/mitchelltuchman/2013/02/06/the-millionaire-next-door-in-retirement/

So sad! Condolences to the family and friends.

There seems to be a streak of fatal car accident news lately…

That’s really tragic…

Sorry I missed seeing this thread. Condolences to the family for this tragedy - I hope they can let go about the carelessness of the other driver and celebrate the life of their loved one.

Carelessness seems too kind a word, IMO. That is a 2 lane road with a hill, and there is not only no need to speed, but no earthly reason to try to pass by going into oncoming traffic, accelerate (in a Mazda SUV) to overcome his corvette and ultimately plow over the top of it (that is my understanding of the events) as he turned left. I hope the driver gets the book thrown at him. And I hope the family can heal.

Sounds like he might get ‘Vehicular Manslaughter’ if he is found to be extremely in violation and driving in such a reckless fashion. Believe it or not, in AL, in recent years, a woman driving on the road next to the hospital drove into a crosswalk and KILLED a pedestrian - she had turned to attend to her fussy child in a back seat car seat - and got no citation. Another woman in a big SUV in four lane (two lane in each direction) research park was going around a bicyclist in the right lane (and not going totally into the left lane or slowing) and KILLED the bicyclist - also no citation.

A drunk driver in Madison WI hit my H’s cousin and left the scene - he died days later in the hospital; she was a repeat DUI. Cousin’s family member was a former city councilman; the driver did get jail time, but it took a lot of family presence, pressure, and media attention. WI has a lot of acceptable social drinking and is slower than some other states in how they handle DUIs.

Many people behind the wheel do not think in various moments the potential consequences of their actions. People driving under the influence of something may get prosecuted differently esp in light of legalized Marijuana.

Another situation where they did come down hard in N AL was where a women, DUI, dropped her cell phone while driving, veered into oncoming traffic and killed another driver. She got more serious jail time. It may be that they had everything right there at the scene - no wiggle room on trying to lie their way out of it.

Awww…that’s really too bad. I read that book years ago and was instrumental in my savings. I recommend his book and his automatic savings all the time. Dave Ramsey taught me budgeting and paying off debt, he taught me how to painlessly save and live below my means.

So sad to learn this news. I read that book when it first came out and it felt like my soul mate. I hope his daughter will continue with the second book.
R.I.P, Dr. Thomas Stanley.

Interesting article about Stanley and his co-author in The NY Times today: http://nyti.ms/1MchePU

Sorry for this tragic, unnecessary loss.
His book influenced a lot of people.

Thanks for sharing.

Very sad loss. I’ve never read the book, but car accidents always pain me.

Well this is a very sad update. I was at my trainers this afternoon (near the site of the crash). He told me one of his clients is a neighbor of the man who killed Stanley. The man was drunk (had been cut off at the bar and it was 3 in the afternoon no less), he was speeding and he was either on his phone or texting. And he has a 9 and 4 year old. So sad on so many levels.

How much worse could it be?

I am stunned at how often we are behind a weaving car. It used to be a question of drunk, high or on occasion, elderly. Now it is often someone texting. Infuriating.

More info from my trainer: The driver was at the gourmet burger place right across the way, drinking I am guessing, beers. They cut him off and called a cab, but he grabbed his keys and ran out. Am guessing he was speeding and tried to pass on the left because he thought the staff at the burger place called the police. So terribly sad.

Update from his daughter:
http://www.datapoints.com/thomas-j-stanley-father-mentor/

Jym626, thanks for posting that. I have debated buying his book for my kids, but I think an updated version would hold their interest more.

You are most welcome. I was hoping to see Sarah at a neighborhood event last weekend but she did not attend this year.