Lansaw retires as custodian after 48 years

By Editor | August 20, 2024 |

Greenfield Superintendent Andy Stumpf presents Roger Lansaw with a plaque of appreciation for his 48 years of dedicated service to the district as the high school custodian. Lansaw officially retired on June 30. (Submitted photo)

By Carmen Ensinger

To say Roger Lansaw has seen generations pass through the hallowed halls of Greenfield High School would be an understatement.
After serving 48 years as custodian, Lansaw hung up his broom and mop for the last time on June 30 and retired.
Greenfield School District honored him for his many years of service on their first day back in school on Aug. 12.
Roger was born Jan. 28, 1949 in Carrollton and has lived in Greenfield his whole life. He attended Greenfield Elementary and Greenfield High School and is a proud graduate and member of the Greenfield High School Class of 1968.
He’s also a Vietnam veteran, serving his country from Feb. 1969 through Sept. 1970 where he earned a Bronze Star for his service.
Roger married his wife, Marsha in 1971 and they were blessed with two sons, Cary and Jeremy, who, along with their wives, Heather and Christine, have blessed them with seven grandchildren – Hayden, Jacob, Faith, Naomi, Elaina, Adeline and Leah.
On March 15, 1976 he began working as the Greenfield High School custodian.
“Day in and day out, Roger ensured the high school was clean, kept up on all of the maintenance,” Superintendent Andy Stumpf said. “He ensured the boiler was running on cold days, the fans were running on hot days and everything in between.”
Lansaw was very dedicated to his job.
“Roger was more dedicated to attending work every day than anyone I have ever seen in my life,” Stumpf said. “He did not miss work, collecting over 500 sick days throughout the years.”
To get a better perspective on these 500 sick days collected, he only received 10 sick days per year and anywhere between one and three personal days a year that rolled over to sick time if not used.
“It is a dedication rarely seen before and more than likely will never be seen again,” Stumpf said. “So here we are 48 years later, countless trips up and down those stairs, caring for and loving every single student and staff member that walked those halls and dedicating his entire working life to the Greenfield School District.”
All in all, Lansaw spent 60 of his 75 years of his life in the Greenfield Schools – as a student for 12 years and an employee for 48 years.
“Thank you, Roger, from the bottom of our hearts and from all who came before us over the last 48 years, for dedicating every ounce of yourself to this district,” Stumpf said. “We hope you have enjoyed the first five weeks of retirement and that you continue to enjoy it with your family for many years to come.”