Jesse Escobedo and his wife cooked a savory turkey dinner over the holiday break, but they didn’t serve it to their family.

Instead, they served it to students and community assistants who couldn’t go home for the holidays.

During his 10 years at ASU, Escobedo has used his job as an outlet for acts of kindness and generosity. Although he has enjoyed his time at ASU, the beloved University Towers janitor plans to retire within the next two years.

The 63-year-old said he never expected to be a janitor. He grew up in south Phoenix and served in the Vietnam War for 13 months after graduating from Phoenix Union High School.

When he returned from service, Escobedo attended Maricopa Technical Community College and studied advertising art.

He then started his own silkscreening business while working as a cabinetmaker for 24 years. After a bone in his hand wore down, he said he was forced to give up the craft. He applied for a job at ASU in 1998 and has worked for the University ever since.

In his years as a custodian, Escobedo has worked in five dorm complexes and interacted with hundreds of students. He has dealt with messes from popcorn on carpets to defecation in showers. Yet even after cleaning up the worst of messes, Escobedo said he still enjoys his job.

“I’m able to help kids, meet people of different countries and different languages,” he said. “I can do things for residents and see the satisfaction on their faces, see that they know someone cares about them.”

Escobedo speaks English, Spanish, French and Vietnamese. He interprets for other Spanish-speaking janitors and uses his knowledge of other cultures to interact with foreign-exchange students.

“I’ll ask where they’re from and ask them how to say good morning in their language so I can say ‘Hi’ when I see them,” Escobedo said.

He once saved an heirloom diamond ring for a resident who knocked it down the sink drain and voluntarily worked after hours to help residents clean up after a major plumbing leak. Escobedo said he attempts to get to know as many residents as he can at the dorms where he works, acting as a friend and protector.

Many students who have encountered him have appreciated his friendly nature.

“He always went the extra mile, helping people feel at home,” said biology and society graduate student Tobie Milford, a former community assistant who worked with Escobedo.

“He’s very thoughtful and conscientious,” he said. “He knew my mom was sick and he’d always ask how she was doing. I really appreciated that.”
Escobedo said he makes an effort to sympathize with students’ experiences.

“I do these things just to do it,” Escobedo said. “I know what it’s like to be among friends but to still feel alone and miss home a lot. That’s why I do these things.”

Escobedo also shares his love of cooking and art with students, showing some of his own artwork to art majors. He is well known for bringing baked goods like cookies, pancakes and biscuits for students and staff in the dorms he cleans.

“His pancakes are the best we’ve ever tasted,” said Cheryl Koetzle, a residential hall facility coordinator. “He keeps us well-fed.”

Escobedo said he cooks to make memories for those around him.

“I want to leave people with good memories so that when they grow old and see a commercial or something, they’ll remember the old man who cooked them brownies or cookies and sat down and ate with them,” he said.

Escobedo said he has had former students walk up to him on the street, introduce him to their families at Family Weekend, cook him brownies and send him cards when they move.

“I collect them,” Escobedo said. “I still have them after all these years.”

After years of service, Escobedo now plans to retire sometime within the next two years because of his age and family obligations.

“I wish I didn’t have to,” Escobedo said. “There’s just something about kids running around getting educated. It reminds me of when I was in college.

“You meet students and you get to see the ideas running through their heads and the goals that they have. If I can help them in any way to achieve what they’re going for, I want to, even just by helping them through the small things that I do.”

Reach the reporter at megan.thomas@asu.edu.