This past Wednesday, I was the motivational speaker at local event. In the audience was one of the first people I interviewed for my Richest People in America project. I was so honored to have Dr. Ron Garst in the audience. He has had a hospital named after him, had one of his patients honored on a postage stamp, trained over 100 doctors, and has spearheaded an effort to send orthopedic supplies all over the world (5.3 million dollars worth!). Born in 1918, Dr. Ronald Garst has lived from East to West in this country and abroad in India, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Dominica, Haiti and Dominican Republic. Though he retired in the early1980’s, he continues to live rich active in wood working, and until recently, collecting orthopedic supplies to send all over the world. This young-at-heart gentleman is 88 years old and he and his wife have been married for over 50 years. His richness comes from serving for 35 years in the medical missionary field. When I asked what advice he would give to young people, Dr. Garst said, “Find out what you want to do with your life and do it, but don’t do it for money.” He did what he wanted to because he loved it, and it combined his many interests. He always liked working with his hands and found a way to use that gift in service to others. I have always heard, “Pursue your passion and the money will follow.” I think Dr. Garst has proved a different proverb: “Pursue your passion, and you will be rich!” As an orthopedic surgeon, I am guessing Dr. Ronald Garst could have made millions of dollars in his career. He probably could have lived in the most luxurious house in an exclusive community. He could have traveled first class to fabulous Five Star resorts all over the world and could have golfed his retirement away. Because he defined being wealthy differently than many and stuck to a dream he had as a small boy, hundreds of people all over the world have had richer and more blessed lives. Doctors have been trained to continue the great work he started. There are many people all over this world that are rich because Dr. Ronald Garst pursued his childhood dream. I know he’s wealthy for a life lived with purpose and I am richer for have met him.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com