Our CEO Celebrates His 93rd Birthday And A 50-Year-Career Anniversary!

Norman may be one of the only 93-year-old employees in Kansas City to still drive himself to work a few days a week. He also may be one of few actively working CEOs over the age of 90. Norman’s son Jay Gunter Besheer has been president and owner since taking over in 2000, and Jay’s son Noah Gunter Besheer is the newest owner of our 4th-generation family-owned and operated Kansas City pest control company. Although Jay and Noah have been running the business, Norman still comes into work on a weekly basis and plays a role in the company. Norman just turned 93 and he is also celebrating another milestone as Norman Celebrates 50 Years At Gunter Pest & Lawn.

On December 21st, 2021, Norman turned 93 years old. This year also marks a 50-year career with Gunter Pest and Lawn in the pest control industry. Norman served in the United States Marines from 1946 to 1948 and earned the status of Major. In 1955, Norman passed the Missouri Bar, and in 1965 practiced law in Pennsylvania. He made a large career change after years as a lawyer when he took over his father-in-law’s Kansas City pest control business in 1971.

Scroll down for a look at some of his most memorable mostly career moments over the years.

In 1975, a few years after Norman Besheer became a Major in the Marines

A 1988 feature in Ingram's Magazine featuring Norman, his wife Patricia and three of their four kids running the family business legacy

In 1999, Norman congratulates our first full-time (non family member) employee Harold on his retirement after an 18-year career with Gunter. This marked the start of our well-known high employee retention rate with many 20-30 year career employees today.

In 2007, Norman Besheer is named honorary Mayor of Waldo in Kansas City. Pictured with mayor Sly James.

In 2016, National Pest Management Association names Norman Besheer into the Pest Control Association Hall of Fame for both Missouri and Kansas.

2017, Jay and Norman are pictured in Costa Rica on a family wedding vacation.

Who remembers the solar eclipse in 2017? This was a fun and unique day at our Waldo office. We all went outside to view it with the eclipse glasses!

This was on Norman's 90th birthday, December 21st of 2018, celebrating the milestone in our Waldo office.

We’re really grateful for Norman’s contribution to our Kansas City family-owned local small business and the mark he’s left on the pest control industry. Help us wish him a happy 93rd birthday and help Norman Celebrate 50 Years At Gunter Pest & Lawn.

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