‘He’s a blessing to a lot of people’: Father who walked miles each day to 2 full-time jobs is gifted car

ROSEVILLE, Minn. (KARE) - For most customers, the journey is not long to the Dairy Queen in Roseville, Minnesota.

It’s a different story for the man behind the counter.

It’s been three years since Rodolfo Depaz arrived with a work visa and work ethic; the government granted him status to work legally.

Manager Faby Quevedo remembers the interview. She was expecting a car to pull in.

“I saw a man walking down the street. It was him,” Quevedo recalled.

And once Depaz started work, coworker Emily Hinderscheid would also see him walking, even on rainy days or in snow.

“I remember he would come in when it was negative and he’d instantly go to the fryer and warm up his fingers,” Emily Hinderscheid said.

Then, Emily Hinderscheid learned Depaz walked to his full-time job at Chipotle before walking to his second full-time position at Dairy Queen.

Walking to and from his jobs, four-and-a-half miles a day, and on weekends, too.

But why?

Because of Depaz’s kids; his daughter Daniella and son Rodolfo.

Every extra cent he earns, Depaz sends to his wife in El Salvador for a better life for his family.

“Better food, better school, better house, everything,” Depaz said.

That means there is no money left for a car.

But when Emily Hinderscheid started inviting Depaz to her parents’ house for dinner, her dad had an idea. Mike Hinderscheid’s bike became Depaz’s bicycle.

Mike Hinderscheid also started inviting Depaz on family outings, over for holidays and to his men’s bible study group.

“Father’s Day, he shows up with a Dairy Queen ice cream cake that says, ‘Dad,’ on it,” Mike Hinderscheid said. “He said I’m like a dad to him.”

But the longtime walker had another surprise coming.

It’s the gift of the “Century” from another member of the bible study: a 2000 Buick Century.

“I just said, ‘Thank God. You listen to my prayers every day,’” Depaz said.

Depaz prays that one day his wife and kids can join him in the U.S.

Todd Nelson, the director of operations for the owner of the Dairy Queen location, says Depaz is a “Very, very hard worker.”

Now, he’s helping Depaz do everything legally.

“Let’s get you set up here with a good attorney,” Nelson thought.

Nelson is also glad that Depaz has finally asked for two nights a month off.

“That’s his bible study night,” Nelson said. “He’s a blessing to a lot of people, and in turn, seems like there have been a lot of people who have been a blessing to him.”

Through summer days and blizzards, Depaz has learned it’s not so much the journey as the people he’s meeting along the way.

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