Third shift elementary school custodian Dick Wike will retire from the Tyrone Area School District this year with ten years of service. His duties at the school include cleaning the rooms located in the daycare and pre-Kindergarten hallway.

Wike, who grew up in Tyrone, was previously employed by the Solo Cup Company in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania.

When asked what he will miss the most about his job at Tyrone Elementary, Wike said, “I’ll miss the people that I work with.”

Daycare Lead Teacher Angela Diebold commented, “Dick is an outstanding custodian and will be sadly missed. Working in the summer with the daycare gave me an opportunity to see Dick in action, making sure everything was perfect for the teachers return each school year. He was always willing to assist me with any issues I needed help with and being deathly afraid of spiders, he would take the extra time to make sure none made it to my classroom.”

Preschool teacher Shana Smith reflected, “I have only had a few opportunities to chat with Mr. Wike, as he is working when I am sleeping! Those few times have been very uplifting, as Mr. Wike is a kind soul with a warm smile. It’s a shame we couldn’t see it each day. Our Pre-K hallway has to be one of the toughest areas to clean, as our little ones often leave big messes. However, if you mention this to him he says ‘not at all.’ He does a wonderful job and will be missed. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to stand beside him last year as we both won the POPS Outstanding Employee Award. His was well-deserved, for sure!”

According to Wike, after retirement he plans to “relax, travel, and spend time with family” in addition to pursuing his hobbies of camping and fishing.