Thursday, October 11, 2018

A GOOD MAN DIED TUESDAY

by Bob Walsh

Alex Spanos was a native of Stockton, and he was rich. He made his own money, starting with $800. He ended up with not quite $2.5 billion and was for a few years the largest builder of apartment buildings in the U.S.

I have been told by people who actually knew him that he was a genuinely nice guy. He was a true philanthropist and gave a ton of money to good causes. He was responsible for the rebuilding of the old Fox movie house in Stockton, which he named after he personal friend Bob Hope. He also built a football stadium at a local high school, and some entertainment venues for the University of the Pacific here in CA. He also owned the San Diego Chargers.

His father was an immigrant and a baker and he started working in the bakery at age eight. He got rich by working hard and taking smart chances. He clearly demonstrated that not all rich people are jerks. He was 95 years old. His wife of 69 years died two months before him.

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