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The Poorest Rich Man in the Country

Posted: Thursday, July 05, 2007 8:59 AM by Jaclyn Levin
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(From Bob Dotson, NBC News National Correspondent) 

I like to think of myself as the guy who carries the light bulb.  I look for drama and dimension in the lives of what most reporters dismiss as ordinary people.  These are the folks who are reshaping the world, as we would like it to be.  This morning’s American Story with Bob Dotson is about a millionaire who lives humbly so he can lend all his wealth, every month, to folks who need a helping hand.  WATCH VIDEO.

Viewers always ask me how I find such interesting people.  Of course, you tip me to some.  I’ve got a mailbox over on Today’s PEOPLE page:    American Story with Bob Dotson mailbox .

I seek stories about people who are not perverse or extreme, the vast majority who are mostly ignored in today’s media.  Nobody bothers to talk with them about their lives in depth, until our cameras on TODAY wink them into memory.

My stories are about people who lead ordinary lives with extraordinary passion.  The ones who live the lives that inspire the novels that get made into movies, that actors star in, so the media can interview them, about the people they portray.


 

 

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Comments

I missed part of this on the show this morning but my computer won't open the video.  How do I find out more?

Celeste Rudberg, Wappingers Falls, NY (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 10:52 AM)

Love this segment...I recently visited a friend in Buffalo,NY. A gentleman by the name of Doug Allen sings at the Sabres games and any money he receives he gives to the mission he works in. the man is a local legend, dresses in a tux , sings beautifully and gives, gives, gives. Buffalo has lost so much industry, the area needs an economic shot in the arm. This man does as much service for the hopes and spirit of this depressed area and its most vulnerable citizens.

Mauren Yorke, Jersey City, NJ (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 10:55 AM)

Today on the American Story there was a story about a man named Hal from Philadelphis (I believe)who was giving away his inheritance, rode his bike instead of his car b/c he gave his car away, had only one suit and said that big businesses should be envying him instead of him envying them b/c he knew about joy. Do you have a write up on this story? What was his last name? I would love to have this guy come to my church & talk about stweardship. Thank you, Rev. Faith Link Stanton Reformed Church Stanton, NJ 908-236-2381

Faith Link, Stanton, NJ (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 10:56 AM)

Bob Dotson and NBC,

Thank you for finding and sharing the story of Hal Taussig. The story reminds me that there still are good people in this country who are willing to share themselves and their wealth. Don't get me wrong, I know that many of us who are retired volunteer and help others, but this story moved me to write this.

Please forward this message to your management as we desperately need more of these stories on your network rather than the Paris Hilton, Anna Nicole Smith stories. Think of the air time that you provided to those stories versus the human nature that is contained in Hal's story.

Maurie Veys (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 12:07 PM)

This story made my day.  So inspiring -- there really are angels on earth.

Victoria Hagar, Bainbridge Island, WA (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 12:43 PM)

People who want to learn more about Hal and his Foundation can go to www.untoursfoundation.org, and the company that he founded that funds the Foundation at www.untours.com. I met Hal Taussig once a few years ago, and he is as amazing and genuine as he appears in this video.

Julie Siebel, Santa, Idaho (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 2:06 PM)

Hi, Bob,

I just wanted to thank you for the lovely story about my Dad, Hal Taussig.  For those of you commenting here, who looking for more information about him, you can learn about his foundation (and the business that provides the funds) at ttp://www.untoursfoundation.org/)

Bob, each time you tell a story about someone like my Dad, who has chosen another way other than material wealth, to define the success of his life, you make it possible for more people to act on their principles and live lives of integrity.  

Thanks for all the effort that you and your entire crew put into tell Hal's story. It is a privilege to have met you, and a privilege to have such a dad.  

Regards,

Marilee Taussig

Marilee Taussig (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 2:10 PM)

Dear Bob and NBC:

This is the BEST reporting yet!  Please do more of these segments ... regularly!  The media is poisoning our children with scathing rudness (talent show judges), selfishness (reality shows) and anger (radio talk shows).  That is not who we are but who we can be "programmed" by exposure to be.  Your American Story segment IS who we really are!  Saturate us and our children with these ideas regularly!  Make them contagious!  Why should it take 9/11 or any other disaster for us to respond?  There are always needs and opportunities to act.  Feature more, get the word into schools, businesses, etc.  

God Bless Hal, you and NBC!  Carry that light bulb high and far and long, WE NEED YOU!

Eileen Finneran, Flanders, NJ (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 2:32 PM)

Thank you for the story on Hal Taussig.  You missed a great opportunity to tell the whole story.  This man has made his money by building bridges between people.  Untours is not just another tour company.  Did anyone ask him about that?  We have made friends in Prague, Budapest and Vienna through Untours and enjoyed marvelous experiences with his assisted independent travel.  

Marilyn Mills, Sacramento, CA (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 3:42 PM)

My wife and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Hal, his wife and family the day this segment was taped.  I was told a story by one of his employees at Untours.  From time to time a college student will do an internship in the Untours office.  She tells them that when they get out into the work force, they shouldn't settle for any workplace that does not equal a workplace like Untours.  It is like one big happy family.  I can vouch for that.  I saw it with my own eyes.  
I have one more thing to say to Hal:  Check your bicycle tires.  They need air.
Bill Kover, Piscataway, New Jersey

Bill Kover, Piscataway, New Jersey (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 4:07 PM)

Dear Mr. Dotson,
Thank you for airing the segment on Mr. Taussig.  It was very uplifting.  I know this may seem strange, but I would love to get in contact with him.  I am a teacher at a very small, private, Christian school in Reading, PA (about 45 mins. from Philadelphia) which is located in front of low-income housing units.  The children that live here have no playground.  As a school we have a very minimal playground (a swingset, slide and monkey bars)that they play on, but whenever we have tried to improve upon what we have, it gets vandalized or destroyed from so much use.  I was wondering if they might somehow get something to call their own, they wouldn't be so quick to vandalize ours.  I know he probably gets alot of these kinds of requests, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to try. Thanks for listening.

Wendy Stahl, Reading, PA (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 5:13 PM)

What a wonderful segment.  It would be great if this man's outlook would inspire others in our country who make millions to do more than search for "things" to buy with all that money.

Shirley Justice, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 6:45 PM)

The segment this morning was incredible-that is what America is all about.  The spirit of giving, helping and loving your fellow man is alive and well in Hal Taussig.  How I wish we would hear more about this type of wonderful human being instead of having to waste time on celebrity drug addicts, divorces and criminals. Keep up the great reporting and please encourage your supervisors to make this at least a weekly segment about what is GREAT here in America!!  There are hidden gems like this man but we rarely hear about them and we all need to hear this type of story. Think of the great things he has accomplished while on this earth.  I would love to read a book or see a movie about people like him any time. Thanks!

Martha Baker, Central, SC (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 8:32 PM)

I met Hal Taussig in Switzerland 16 years ago when my husband and I took our first Untours.  He is indeed a remarkable man....and runs a great company.  Thank you for sharing his story with America.

V. Kelber, Marco Island, FL (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 8:43 PM)

Hal Taussig truly is an amazing and special man.  There really needs to be more stories on people like him to remind us all of what is most important in life. That true joy comes from giving and living a good and simple life, not from accumulating more stuff and living for oneself.  What a wonderful example for humankind!

Jennifer Brennan, Seattle, Wash (Sent Thursday, July 05, 2007 8:46 PM)



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