After six decades of dedicated service, a beloved custodian is saying goodbye. Referred to as “Mr. Peanuts” by children and colleagues for 61 years, Rodney Esser is retiring as head custodian at Park Elementary School, Madison, Wisconsin, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. Esser leaves behind a legacy of steadfast stewardship for the school and students he cares for.
Park Elementary School is more than just a building; it was built on land Esser once farmed in his youth, Channel 3000 shares. He has spent his lifetime taking care of his family’s land and the school on it, becoming an institution himself. Throughout his illustrious career, he has received several accolades from his community and beyond—he was named a finalist in Cintas Corporation’s 2023 Custodian of the Year contest, recognized by the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials (WASBO) for his outstanding service at the Midwest Facility Masters Convention, and honored with a Certificate of Commendation by Gov. Tony Evers, Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) shares…