Custodian's smile will be missed after retirement

By MaryHelen Swanson
Walter Larson has been cleaning up everything from school papers to gym shorts to food scraps for 24 years. Heís even been there when kids have gotten sick in the halls. Heís fixed things, found things and solved many problems. He efficiently and patiently carried on with his work at his behind-the-scene job as custodian at Rush City High School.
So now that heís retiring, it flusters him to be in the limelight.
But thatís just what has been happening as Larson counts down the days and hours to the end of his custodial career.
ëJust 30 and a half hours to go,î he said Tuesday morning when time came to snap a picture of him in his element.
One of the best parts of his job as custodian at the high school was seeing the students and staff each day.
He started the job as a seasonal worker, when he got tired of working at the local feed mill.
For a few years he worked nights, but since then itís been 5 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. five days a week.
Oh, there have been some other hours, like emergencies and other times heís gone in on his own. Thatís what happens when you live so close by, he said.
For the kids, the staff and administration, heís been known as the janitor with a smile and a wave.
His positive nature has lifted the spirits of many, and in response some 200 people showed up at a surprise retirement party Aug. 22 to express appreciation for his work.
There were plenty of stories that night as Larson was toasted by those who came to know him well over the past few decades.
The stories, he mused, were mostly good.
That was one event that caused the fluster.
Another came at last weekís school board meeting when he was asked to show up and didnít know why.
He didnít know he was going to receive a plaque in appreciation that night.
And there was plenty of gently ribbing Tuesday morning when the Post Review showed up at school to take his picture.
Larson said he will miss the staff and the students. ìTheyíve been real nice to me.î
But heís looking forward to maybe getting out fishing once again. ìI used to do it,î he said.
Plans might also include some time in the south in winter. He said heíll give it a try, perhaps Arizona.
And, he just might substitute as custodian, if asked.
Students will remember Larson as friendly, smiling, and never complaining about having to clean up anything.
Staff, administration and school board members will also remember his smile, his positive attitude and the outstanding job his did over the years.
When asked about his most memorable moment, Larson took some time think about that.
And then he realized that having the 1991-í92 school yearbook dedicated to him was a very special thing.
That, he decided, probably was the most memorable moment in his 24 years.

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