A Janitor Surprises 3 Oregon Universities

A janitor who saved money over the years by not heating his house, buying a car, or using a telephone has left $300,000 to three Oregon universities.

The University of Oregon and Portland and Oregon State Universities received about $100,000 each from the will of Fred K. Thompson, who died last year at age 81.

In his will, Mr. Thompson asked that the money be used to create scholarships for students interested in becoming teachers.

Mr. Thompson worked as a custodian in Portland schools for about 20 years. After retiring, he gave up Medicare coverage to avoid paying the premium. He lived frugally in other ways to save as much money as possible from his $1,200-a-month retirement income. He and his wife, Mabel Julia, who died in 1967, had no children.