60-Year Cleaning Vet Highlights Joys as a School Custodian

By Taylor Vraney, Assistant Editor

A cherished custodian recently announced his intent to retire following his 61st year of service. But before he does, he sat down to reflect on how he got to this point and what has all changed in cleaning over those six decades.

Rodney Esser, fondly referred to as “Mr. Peanuts” by his community, has maintained the grounds of Park Elementary School, Cross Plains, Wisconsin, for his entire life. Now 86-years-old, he is leaving for greener pastures—a ranch in South Dakota—with plans to return and volunteer at the school in fall.

Identified as a little peanut at birth, Esser grew up as a Midwest farmer through and through. He enjoyed being outside and working the homestead. However, when the land was sold to the local school district, he was faced with a decision: go with the land or start anew. After speaking with the local postmaster about the long-term benefits of serving as a custodian at the school, he elected to accept the job.

“It’s a job I never applied for. When the land was sold to the school district, I went with the land,” Esser says. “It was the best thing that could have happened. I love working for the district at this school and serving this community.”

At first, Esser worked as a custodian alongside many of the families he had grown up with in the community. Nowadays, he cannot claim to know the names of each Park Elementary student and their families, but they know him. Adding a "mister" to his childhood nickname, Mr. Peanuts is often sought out for a hug or two by the children when they spot him running errands around town. To Esser, it is the trusting relationships he’s made with children and their parents that make the job rewarding.

“I never had a day I didn’t enjoy coming to work. That’s why I’m coming back as a volunteer in October...to be with these kids. I think I got to add something to their lives, and they can add something to mine,” he says.

In a video interview, Esser describes how the role of a custodian has changed over the years. From bars of soap to automatic foam dispensers in the restrooms, innovations have transformed the way he and his cleaning crew carry out their work. Learn more about the modern improvements that have made creating a quality, safe, and satisfactory learning environment more accessible, and why a career as a custodian is a meaningful and worthwhile responsibility.

Taylor Vraney is an Assistant Editor for CleanLink.com, Facility Cleaning Decisions, Contracting Profits, and Sanitary Maintenance. 

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posted on 2/27/2026