Calvin (Cal) Mustard, a Columbus High School mainstay, will be calling it a career after 37 years as head custodian at CHS.

Anyone from around the district can spout off some of Mustard’s more professional qualities.  Teachers who travel to area schools for sports or activities are hard-pressed to think of a more clean and orderly building than the two occupied by Columbus High over Mustard’s career.  Others are eager to echo the fact that reporting an issue to the spiral-bound notepad in Mustard’s breast pocket means that a job is as good as done.  Maintenance personnel who spend their days taking care of issues all over the district often report to Cal before the building principal.  While Mr. Mustard is an undeniable professional, his remarkable humanity and kind manner are what will be missed the most.  

Mr. Bret Thompson, who has worked with Mr. Mustard longer than any other CHS teacher, was quick to point out, “All memories of Calvin are fond. That's why he is the grandest!”  Knowing Mustard as quite the avid camper, Thompson wanted to make sure Cal knew that, “...you made it to the top of the mountain! Now go enjoy the view! May your camping days be sunny and bright, and your campgrounds be as welcoming as you made CHS.”

Former CHS principal Mr. Steve Woodside excitedly prepared some lesser-known facts about Mr. Mustard.  

“The original name Calvin comes from the Norman-French ‘Calve,’ meaning ‘little bald one.’ At Columbus High School, the name Calvin we know could be interpreted as the ‘Little Bearded One.’”

Woodside most fondly remembers the bearded one inviting him into the maintenance breakroom for periodic chats or the annual Mustard Holiday Buffet.  Though assorted delicacies were typically on the breakroom menu, the conversations were often the most satisfying portion of those visits.

“Some of the best conversations at CHS occurred in the breakroom and around the halls of the high school as Calvin was never too busy to stop and lend you an ear.  Calvin has always been a great listener, never showing any other demeanor but a cool, calm collectiveness which was so appreciated during times of craziness, stress, and frustration that the regular school day would always seem to produce.”

While Mr. Mustard’s day-to-day decorousness is undeniable, one of Woodside’s warmest memories of Mustard came when the die-hard Husker fan came up at a loss for words.

“One of the best experiences ever involved Calvin and legendary Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne.  Former CHS football coach Dick Luebbe arranged for Tom Osborne to come by the maintenance break room while visiting Columbus High School on a recruiting visit.  Imagine the likes of Tom Osborne seeking Calvin to meet him personally...and, yes, Calvin got his autograph.”

Though many at CHS will be sad to see Cal go, two CHS students are more than excited to see him enter a much-deserved retirement.  Grandsons Conner and Carter Braun are quite eager to see more of their grandpa.

“Some things that I will like doing with him once he is retired are going camping and mini-golfing with him more often,” Conner said.  “And just spending more time with him in general.”

“I am looking forward to being able to spend more time with him on the weekends,” added Carter. “Also, with him not working, it will be easier for me to see him and my grandma when I am home from college.”

For this Anchor News advisor, Calvin Mustard will always hold a position of sainthood in my heart.  I will forever appreciate Mr. Mustard’s helpful smile, his amazing capacity for work and his empathy and understanding for friends and strangers alike.  I will miss Cal’s thoughts after a weekend’s events in college football, his willingness to take part in or dish out a gentle ribbing and his humble satisfaction in work that can never be over-appreciated.  

Everyone at Anchor News would like to salute Mr. Cal Mustard on a fantastic career with CHS and wish him a long and happy retirement!

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