Driver’s ed ‘guru’ Gesteland dies at age 75

Norman Gesteland

JANESVILLE — Nobody knows how many accidents didn’t happen and how many lives were saved because Norman Gesteland took his job as seriously as life and death.

The Janesville native was such an outstanding driver’s education teacher that many know him as “Mr. Driver’s Ed.”

Gesteland, 75, died Monday.

Former Parker High School Principal Bill Reis worked with Gesteland for many years. He recalled how Gesteland was a fierce advocate for the driver’s education program, which was eventually removed from school curriculum because of budget restraints.

“People looked at him as being sort of the (driver’s education) guru for the state of Wisconsin,” Reis said.

“I think he was a pioneer in many ways,” said Don Mrdjenovich, a former Janesville school superintendent.

“He was on the cutting edge of driver’s education in Wisconsin. If there was something new and different out there, Norm would get on it.”

Educators who knew Gesteland describe him as an innovator who was calm and encouraging with students. He was positive and well liked.

“He wanted you to be totally aware of everything that could happen when you were driving,” Reis said.

John Koebler, a special education teacher at Parker and Craig high schools, worked with Gesteland for 20 years in the driver’s education program.

“He took it very seriously,” Koebler said. “He always told the students, ‘You’re going to drive for life.’”

Koebler recalled the driving range Gesteland set up behind school. He remembered that Gesteland made sure the kids experienced night driving; tire blow-outs, which Gesteland caused with a simulator, and “wheel drops.” Many accidents are caused when drivers overcorrect after running onto the gravel, Koebler said.

Gesteland staged fake accident scenes on the night drives. He wanted the students to know how to help other people, as well, Koebler said.

“He was way ahead of his time,” he said. “It was a first-class operation.

“He’s going to be missed.”

Tim Gesteland, Norm’s youngest son, said his dad’s passion for driver’s education was part of the family’s life.

Their yearly family trips were to the Holidome in Stevens Point, where Gesteland attended the state driver’s education convention. He was a long-time president.

Both Tim and his brother, Andy, are certified driver’s education teachers.

The young siblings favorite night of the week was when they put on red food coloring and became the victims in the accidents their father staged on country roads.

Gesteland also was a Parker football and basketball announcer for many years.

Tim said the family is cleaning out his dad’s closets, and everything is yellow and green.

“He was a Parker Viking through and through,” Tim said.

Reis recalled how Gesteland and his wife, Jane, hosted many Parker picnics and parties at their home.

“He kept a lot of the traditions in the forefront that were so important to building a school community,” Reis said.

“He was just a wonderful man,” Reis said.

“He had the heart of an educator. He did his best with a program he really believed in.”