Casey Alan Jeszenka

With deepest sadness, the family of Casey A. Jeszenka, 61, regrets to report that he passed away on the afternoon of August 1, 2024.

Casey was one of those rare people who made friends-for-life out of almost every person he met. His loyalty, generosity and wisdom made him a person you wanted to be around. 

Casey was proud of being born and raised in Missoula, Montana, where he went on to earn multiple Master’s Degrees in Business and Finance from the University of Montana. He used his degrees wisely and became a leader in, and huge proponent of, the Small Business Administration. He also did a stint teaching English in South Korea. A place he always spoke fondly of.

He prided himself on helping Docs Sandwiches get their start.  Not long after that, he was recruited by the University of Guam to head up seven Small Business Development Centers in Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Palau, and the Marshall Islands.  He loved that job, all his employees, and living in Guam. He won the Small Business Administration Director of the Year Award for his good work.

After one of his many work trips to the U.S. mainland, Casey suffered fractures in his feet while running through an airport. These fractures were caused by Charcot Syndrome, no doubt brought on by years of kidney dialysis administered 3 times a week, that Casey had to have after sustaining kidney damage in a bike accident. 

Soon after injuring his feet, Casey retired from his job in Guam and returned to Missoula for treatment and to be with family.

Casey loved rafting the Bitterroot and Blackfoot; scuba diving in Palua; treating his mom and grandmother to fabulous trips to Korea, Hawaii and Guam; treating loved ones to stays at Fairmont Hot Springs; and taking us on long drives to special places with beautiful views or the best prime rib around or both. But most of all, he loved his family and his many friends, and he proved it to them every chance he got.

Being overweight his entire life, he had to endure bullying and fat-bias far too often. He never let that get him down, always dealing with it with dignity and forgiveness.

In Casey’s honor let’s all be a little kinder to each other. You can’t always know what another person might be enduring. 

A memorial service will be held at Johnsrud Park Fishing Access on the Blackfoot River. Please watch the comments section for details.

In lieu of flowers, Casey would love it if you spent that money at your favorite, local small business.