News

Hampshire toasts longtime custodian

Posted December 11, 2008 10:00 pm

By Jameel Naqvi

Harold Meyer has become a familiar presence in his 31 years as a custodian at Hampshire Middle School. Over the years, Meyer, who plans to retire this month, has developed close relationships with the students and the staff at the school. Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

When Harold Meyer was a teenager in 1950s Hampshire, he didn't care much for school.

"In high school, I was a very lazy person," Meyer said.

But the 1961 Hampshire High School graduate returned to his high school 16 years after getting his diploma and stayed there for the next 31 years.

"It was pretty weird because when I left I said I would never go back to school again," Meyer said. "Never say never."

The 65-year-old head custodian plans to retire this month. He took some time to reflect on the changes he has witnessed and the people he has met during the past three decades.

Meyer moved to Hampshire in 1957, when his family bought a farm in the village. Meyer has watched Hampshire change from a small farm town with just a few families to a growing suburb with a modern, sprawling high school.

When the new Hampshire High School opened this year, high school students and teachers moved from Hampshire Middle and High School to the new building, leaving the middle school students and staff in the old building.

The departure of the building's veteran teachers meant Meyer became the resident historian.

"He is the senior member of our staff," said Hampshire Middle School Principal Jim Wallis, who has been principal for 17 years.

But Meyer missed the relationships he had with longtime teachers at the high school.

"It has been really hard changing to a middle school," Meyer said. "A majority of people that had known me for 20 years moved to the new building."

Meyer also cultivated relationships with students - especially the ones that served as student custodians.

"He had the patience of a saint with these kids," said Larry Harlan, a former colleague who worked as a special-education teacher and technology coordinator at Hampshire. "He got a kick out of them, just listening to their stories."

Carl Brooks, former principal of Hampshire Middle and High School, said Meyer led by example.

"Not much talk, lots of demonstration," Brooks said. "This is the way we do it."

Meyer became a familiar presence at Hampshire Middle and High School, smiling at students in the halls - even when they wouldn't smile back.

"I've never seen him be anything but gracious," Wallis said. "He's always available, always willing to help."

Harlan remembers showing up at the high school at 5:30 a.m. to jog with a fellow teacher before school. Meyer would already be there and laid out towels for the teachers in the gym.

But behind Meyer's smile and easygoing demeanor was a desire to continue the education he left off in 1961.

Meyer took classes at Elgin Community College before enrolling in Northern Illinois University. After about 15 years of night school, Meyer earned his bachelor's degree in general studies.

"I never thought I was real smart," Meyer said. "It helped me cure that."

Meyer also learned on the job, which entailed everything from raising the flag in the morning to letting students into their lockers.

"The myriad things you encounter in the day - you're always learning something," Meyer said. "If nothing else, every day you learn patience."

He wrote about some of his experiences in the weekly newsletters he sent out to friends.

In one newsletter, he wrote, "I almost hated cleaning up the cafeteria after lunch because the artwork the kids created with their food was amazing," Harlan recalled.

Meyer almost didn't become a custodian. In 1976, after four years of service in the Marine Corps and a few years of working on the farm, he searched for a factory job.

"It was so far back, they actually had manufacturing jobs in the United States," Meyer said.

Meyer's wife saw an ad for a custodial job in a local newspaper. Meyer worked at Jacobs High School in Algonquin for a year, then transferred to Hampshire Middle and High School the next year.

"I never knew I'd be at it for 32 years, but I liked it," Meyer said.

Meyer doesn't understand the fuss his colleagues are making over his retirement, hosting a party for him on Friday, Dec. 19.

"I wanted to sneak out the back door on the last day," he said.

Meyer said he'll miss his breakfasts with teachers, working alongside students and watching them develop.

"It's just fun working together with people for a common cause," he said.

Head custodian Harold Meyer empties a load of trash after lunch hour at Hampshire Middle School. "I wonder how many of these I've filled up over the years," said Meyer, who plans to retire this month. Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

Harold Meyer has worked as a custodian at Hampshire Middle School for 31 years. Meyer, who retires this month, recently reflected on the changes he has witnessed and people he has met during the past three decades at the school. Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

Harold Meyer was always thankful for the custodial job. "He'd stop in my office on the anniversary of him starting working and always mention how he enjoyed working together," former Principal Carl Brooks said. Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

Celebrating Harold Meyer's retirement What: Buffet dinner, cake and entertainment When: 4-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 Where: Hampshire Middle School cafeteria, 560 S. State St., Hampshire Gift donations and R.S.V.P.: Call Michelle Meech at (847) 683-2522 or Dr. Janine Steffen at (847) 792-5300

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