Celebrating essential roles in our community

My friend and I were walking along the mall at CSB one day and began talking about the magnitude of work, maintenance, and support that takes place on our campuses every day, often going without acknowledgment or appreciation. We started to dream up about ways we could show thanks to those people who are boots-on-theground every day for our schools. She suggested I do a column about them,
the hidden heroes on our campuses, so here it begins. I hope this column can inspire you to show appreciation to our hidden heroes that workday and night to keep these campuses beautiful but often go unrecognized.

When I started to brainstorm ideas on who to kick off this series with, a classmate brought to my attention
her boss, Rob Stoeckel, Paint and Finishing Shop Department Coordinator. She shared a bit about him with me and I knew that he had to be the inaugural hidden hero column. I had the privilege to sit with
Stoeckel, talk about his time at SJU, learn about his life, family and dream about the future.

Born in Alexandria, Minn. but raised in St. Cloud, Rob has been working with decorating for most of his life. He owned Stoeckel Decorating with his father and brothers for several years. Stoeckel Decorating specialized in painting, wall covering and wood finishing. In 1990, he took the job at SJU.

Rob has been the Paint and Finishing Shop Department Coordinator for 35 years, working
first-hand with thousands of Bennies and Johnnies to help maintain campus. The most rewarding part of
his job has been just that.

“18-22 year olds bring a certain vigor to your life. I am still in contact with a lot of them, even attending their weddings. I am so thankful for that,” Stoeckel said.

The toughest thing about his job after 35 years? Watching things change over the course of time.

“Change is hard for everyone, it’s hard to sit back and see things that happened in the 90s change over time. Sometimes they have been good things, don’t get me wrong. But the bad things have been tough,” Stoeckel said.

When Stoeckel started working at SJU in the 90s, there were four full time painters and fifteen student workers. Now, it is him and three student workers. Covering thousands of square footage across SJU’s campus, it is difficult for them to keep up with all of the work orders.

Stoeckel said that with boots on the ground, they are running around to keep up with the work. Having positive reinforcement and acknowledgement helps fuel the dayto-day life.

Stoeckel, and many others, work tirelessly to maintain these campuses. Please remember to show compassion and gratitude as they work as timely as possible to so.

Stoeckel is celebrating two things on Sept. 11; his birthday and his retirement from SJU.

With family connections to Alexandria and Osakis, Minn., Stoeckel and his wife bought a home in the area where he will retire to. He is hoping to catch up on his reading list and spend time with friends, family and his 190-pound English Mastiff, Attica, whose name is inspired by Atticus from “To Kill a Mockingbird,” one of his favorite books. Along with that, Stoeckel is looking forward to reconnecting with even more Bennies and Johnnies that he has worked and interacted with.

Life is not going to slow down too much for him as he is already looking for ways to volunteer, from local animal shelters to Anna Marie’s Alliance.

Kindness, honesty and joy are just a few of the things I took away from my short time with Stoeckel. He shared triumphs and happiness of the past 35 years at SJU, while also sharing the truthful challenges he experienced.

I am grateful for the time Stoeckel took to share his story with me, and what the future has for him. If you see him Sept. 11, wish him a happy retirement, happy birthday, and thank him for his time and work at SJU. SJU would not be what it is without him!

Thank you, Rob. I am wishing you all the best today and beyond!

If you want to suggest someone for the next column, please email Kate with your ideas!