Family Album

All In The Family
By: Lesley Zahn

In the 1970's there was a show named “All In The Family.” Although we don't have Archie Bunker working here, we do have a family called the Bauer's — and they're all here.

It began in 1980 when Bill Bauer, the oldest of eleven children, started his career with McCarthy. Bill was hired as a carpenter on the St. Mary's Hospital project. From there he has moved to many projects, among them A.G. Edwards, St. John's Mercy Medical Center (SJMMC), St. John's Mercy in Washington, Mo.; BJC in St. Louis, and currently in Virginia on the Sentara Hospital.

Bill says, “When I started with McCarthy the company was owned by the McCarthy family. The working atmosphere was that of a family-run business. McCarthy, even now as a national corporation, strives to maintain that same attitude toward its employees. The fact that we are now employee owned is further evidence that McCarthy is a company genuinely intent on preserving the ‘family spirit’ for everyone. For 24 years I have always been proud to say that I work for McCarthy.”

During Bill's time at St. John's another family member was hired. Neil (Bill's younger brother) joined McCarthy in 1981 as a carpenter. Neil hasn't moved nearly as much as his brother — in fact, he's been at SJMMC 21 of the 23 years that he has been with McCarthy.

Neil has three daughters who at a young age started coming to work with their Dad when they weren't in school. They would roll drawings, run copies and clean the office trailer, and now they collect a paycheck for their work. Jen, 22, started with McCarthy in 2000 and Lauren, 20, started in 2002. Both are project secretaries at SJMMC. His youngest daughter Jamie, 19, is waiting for a position to open. Neil says, “The main reason I stay with McCarthy is the people I work with. The fact McCarthy is an economic winner keeps a lot of LIFERS on the payroll. The growing number of long-term employees at a construction company this size is proof of the great future we all look forward to.”

John Bauer, another younger brother of Bill's, also started his career with McCarthy at SJMMC as a carpenter in 1988. Before his current position as superintendent on the Mehlville Schools project, John worked at MEMC, St. Luke's Hospital, Washington University Parking Garage and Wyeth BioPharma. John stated, “McCarthy is an awesome place to work. You are given every opportunity to excel as far as you want. It's a solid company with a bunch of great people (now owners) to work with and share success. I look forward to retirement from our company in 2023!”

Not only do we have the Bauer Brothers working for McCarthy — we also have their brother-in-laws Tony Runge (superintendent), Phil Hoelting (carpenter foreman) and Billy Nordmann (carpenter) — all at SJMMC. Then throw into the mix a few nephews — Chad and Lucas Runge (laborers) at SJMMC and Andy Bauer (laborer) at the Lindbergh Tunnel.

Add it all up and there is a total of over 100 years of services from the Bauer's. I'm sure that a few more of the 45 Bauer nieces and nephews will find their way into the McCarthy organization in the years to come.

Having worked with them over the years I have formed a long-lasting friendship with all of the Bauer families. There is not a Meathead or Edith or Archie in the bunch, but like the show, they have kept McCarthy “All In The Family.”