Doing a good deed for a stranger can make you feel amazing, but not many of us would dedicate years of our lives to helping out. However, Thomas Weller did just that, making him the ultimate example of a good Samaritan. Weller helped stranded motorists for 51 years without asking for anything in return, eventually earning the title of the 'San Diego Highwayman'.
A CBS reporter first dubbed him the 'Highwayman' back in 1996, but he was helping out for years before that. He started his charitable cause in 1966, after his life was saved by an anonymous man when his car plowed into a snowbank.
In the 2015 documentary about Weller, he explained what happened and how it affected his life:
"I do it because when I was 16 (in Illinois) I got pulled out of a snowbank by a man who came along and he wouldn't accept any money from me and he just said that you just help somebody that you come across in trouble when you can. And so that's how I got started doing what I do."
Weller would drive the roads of San Diego, finding those who were having the worst days, fixing their vehicles and keeping them company. He offers gas, resuscitates dead batteries, brings his engineering know-how, and sometimes gives lifts when the car is out of action. Like the man who saved him in 1966, all he asks is for them to help others too.
Accompanied by his loving companion, the rescue dog Shela, his routine was to find those who were stranded, help them out, and pass on a message. Telling them, "don't let the chain of love end with you," he sends them on their way with one of his cards, which reads:
"Assisting you has been my pleasure. I ask for no payment other than for you to pass on the favor by helping someone in distress that you may encounter"
When he started Weller explained that he'd be out on the road for hours each day, day or night. In his later years, he went out for shorter shifts, but when you've been doing it for half a century you deserve a little break. But even as he hit retirement age he still loved doing it.
"I get depressed, I go out on the freeway, I help one person, and I come back lifted," he said in the documentary. "I've had some cry when they realize that I'm just there to help them. I've had grown men cry."
"Oh, I've been called a hero more times than I can count. A hero is someone who does something extraordinary. I'm just doing ordinary things. I happen to be in the right place at the right time."
In 2011, the original rescue vehicle he used - a 1955 Ford Wagon he named Beulah - was totaled as he was merging onto the interstate. "I miss Beulah," he said near the time. "It's like a part of me was killed as well". In 2015, KFMB radio host Mike Slater invited him onto the show, inspiring a listener to call in and offer to rebuild the car for free.
Before this call came in, a GoFundMe was created for the car's repairs, which gathered plenty of responses from those that Weller had helped.
One person called him a "San Diego Icon", while another said "This sweet man helped me when no one else would. If it weren't for him I might still be stranded on the freeway with my babies in the car".
After 51 years of being a good Samaritan, this particular venture had to come to an end. In March 2017, it was reported that he has retired from the gig after doing it for five decades.
He had a minor stroke, which left him with partial paralysis in his left foot and hand. In addition to this, his faithful companion Shela, who had ridden shotgun with him for 15 years, passed away.
“Unfortunately, I'm done as the San Diego Highwayman,” Weller told the San Diego Tribune. “I can't, in good conscience, put others at risk by being less than full capacity on the road.”
“I’m done patrolling, but I hope I'm never so jaded that I'd pass by someone needing help in the course of my day-to-day travels, especially women with children alone by the wayside."
During his last vacation to California in 2003, he stopped at least seven times to help broken-down travelers on the way. So in all likelihood, he is still helping out wherever he can.
