Bill Gesek – Multiple Sclerosis

Start Date: Monday, March 24, 2025
Submission Deadline: Monday, June 30, 2025
Decision Notification: Friday, July 11, 2025

In Memory of Mr. Bill Gesek

My dad, Mr. Bill Gesek, was a very intelligent man who majored and excelled in Physics in college. After graduating, he worked at large companies for 15 years gaining experience with computers until he decided it was time to become an entrepreneur and start his own company in telecommunications consulting with 3 partners. He believed this was his best opportunity to provide for his family; something he always put first in his life – his family! As fate would have it, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) only 11 years after the start of his company and as it progressed he had to retire. He inspired others throughout his life by being a role model for how to endure the challenges in life living with MS for over 33 years while maintaining a positive “can do” attitude during each phase of his illness – from using a cane, to a walker, to a scooter, to a wheelchair. He accepted his progressing limitations due to MS as part of his life while always being there for others by putting them first, showing kindness and compassion, always listening, and offering powerful wisdom to them. His wife (my mom) Barbara, being the matriarch of our family that she was, endured years of caring for Bill every step of the way until his passing in 2017. This scholarship is a dedication to not only my dad battling this chronic debilitating disease every day but also my mom who was his devoted caregiver.

– Jeff Gesek

Criteria:

• Must be a senior in high school.
• The applicant, their parent, or their sibling must have a chronic illness or disability related to mobility that requires or may eventually require a mobility device or medical services.
• Must answer all questions posed by the PFTC Board below.
• The applicant must write a brief paragraph about key topics that provide the PFTC Board with insight into their character, qualities, and achievements.