For 50 years, Northwest Arkansas native Dean Hacker was a behind-the-scenes fixture at Bentonville Schools. From bus driver to maintenance worker, Hacker was deeply involved in the day-to-day operations that kept the district running smoothly, often stepping into new roles as needs arose.

Hacker, who will be 72 on July 4, retired from the district on Oct. 31, 2024 — marking exactly 50 years to the month since he began his service in Bentonville. In May, Hacker and several other retiring employees were honored by the district, highlighting long careers dedicated to public education.

Born in Gravette, Dean Hacker began his career at his alma mater before joining the Bentonville School District after meeting and marrying his wife, Cathy, a Bentonville native. Last September, the couple celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.

Hacker recalls his early days in Bentonville as a bus driver in the ’70s, earning $400 a month. After 90 days, his pay was increased to $430 a month, he said. At the time, the schools in the district were Thomas Jefferson, which taught grades one through six, RE Baker, which was the junior high, and Old High, which housed the high school grades.

Hacker fell into many of his positions at the district. When one person quit, he’d move into a new position. At one point he was a groundskeeper, then custodian, then he oversaw all the custodians. He eventually became a maintenance worker, taking care of the building’s heating and air conditioning.

“I fell into taking care of everything after that,” he said, such as overseeing the gas testing, plumbing, water heaters, fire alarms and intercom systems, learning as he went.

"The old crew gave Dean the nickname Beagle Hound because he’d pick up a work order and couldn’t let it go until the repairs were complete,” said Janet Schwanhausser, deputy superintendent of Bentonville Schools. “He has cared for this district as if it were his own. Dean Hacker is an institution in Bentonville Schools."

Right before his retirement, Hacker was awarded the district’s Extra Mile Award after rescuing a stuffed bear from Apple Glen Elementary’s roof. The toy had special significance to the first grader who owned it, as it once belonged to his dad.

One of Hacker’s favorite memories from his time with the district is moving the high school’s piano to the Benton County Fairgrounds for a yearly pageant.

“One of the funniest things is we'd go get it the day after the fair was done and take it back. I'd drive around the square while one of the boys would be plucking at the piano,” he said.

His least favorite aspect of the job?

“Well, when the sewer lines got clogged up, that wasn’t much fun,” he said with a laugh.