WINONA — A former Winona teacher has left behind a startling gift, bequeathing nearly $3 million to the local school district.
Friends remembered Richard Kolter as conservative and low-key, certainly not someone who lived as though he had millions in the bank.
A Winona Daily News report (http://bit.ly/ozraQN ) says Kolter died of a heart attack in December at age 67. School officials knew he had left 75 percent of his estate to the Winona Area Public School District, but they had no idea until Thursday that the amount was $2.88 million.
Board chairman Greg Fellman says a gift like that leaves one "speechless."
Winona interim superintendent Scott Hannon says the district hasn't decided how to spend the cash, but he promises the money will be used frugally.
