Groundskeeper loves reading classics, is a country gentleman

Though Saint Louis University is situated in the heart of the city, SLU’s groundskeepers work hard to make our urban campus an attractive oasis between the concrete streets and brick buildings. Grooming tidy, green lawns, tending colorful flowerbeds, and pruning the trees that dot West Pine, they are the crew to thank for maintaining SLU’s distinct style.

One groundskeeper, however, is known amongst students for his own distinct style.

He wears suspenders, has long, blond hair, a full beard and can frequently be seen reading on his breaks. His name is Tommy Wessel.

Wessel, a native of Arcadia Valley, Mo., is from a large family of five brothers and two sisters, all SLU graduates.

Like his siblings, Wessel, too, attended SLU for two years before ending coursework to become a groundskeeper on campus.

“They just didn’t have the courses I was interested in” Wessel said, who would have liked to continue schooling in a more outdoor-oriented major.

In fact, most of Wessel’s hobbies involve being outdoors. He is a beekeeper, Cardinals baseball fan, and enjoys paddling in his canoe.

In addition, Wessel is an Eagle Scout that loves to camp, although his definition of camping does not include comforts like tents or even sleeping bags. Instead, he insists upon curling up next to a fire with only a blanket.

Wessel is also a beer enthusiast, and wishes to someday brew his own beer and to perhaps own a small vineyard with his brothers.

As a self-proclaimed “ravenous” Billiken Basketball fan, he described multiple run-ins with event staff for being “too loud” at games.

While Wessel will turn on the TV for Cardinals games and major sporting events, he claims to be an avid reader in terms of entertainment. He primarily reads works by Dickens, Hemingway and Jack London.

“There is no better way to escape life. When you read, you can become anyone in the world” Wessel said.

Wessel himself aspires to be a “country gentlemen.” When asked to elaborate, he got out of his seat and proceeded to comically act out the posture and stance of such a figure.

The requirements entail owning 50,000 acres of land, growing one’s own food, having a huge belly, wearing a three-piece suit and becoming a George Bailey type figure from the popular 1946 classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

He is already perfecting his wardrobe and said that he has been known to wear Victorian-era pants when not at work, and recommends them to anyone looking for a really comfortable pair of trousers.

Despite Wessel’s easy-going attitude he has a few very specific pet peeves. These include: helicopters (when not being used for military or emergency purposes), warm seats, people in suits wearing sunglasses (unless you’re in the CIA or some other government agency), and bicyclists who run red lights.

So keep this in mind when you are around him on campus.

Wessel is a great guy to get to know. He is quick with a joke or story, always smiling, and has a very positive outlook on life.

His philosophy is on living is very simple.

“Have fun and laugh at everything. Do what makes you happy.”

Next time you see him on campus, feel free to say hi, and thank him for what he does for SLU.