Retired Construction Supervisor Follows Building Project Progress
Dean Hocker, a retired construction supervisor, has been following the Memorial Hospital construction project closely. He was recently given a surprise tour of the construction site. Shown (from left) are Austin Davis, Alberici Constructors Project Engineer, Dean Hocker, and Wade Needham, Memorial Health System Director of Buildings and Grounds.
Dean Hocker worked in construction all of his life. During his construction career, Dean worked on several public buildings in Abilene, including the Memorial Hospital Annex and Kennedy school.
Dean has shown a keen interest in the Memorial Hospital building project, stopping at the hospital almost daily to observe the process long distance through the windows. Staff acknowledged Dean’s special window by placing a sign on it that states ‘Dean Hocker’s Observation Window’.
Recently health system staff surprised Dean by offering him a guided tour of the construction site. Dean said that it had been a while since he had worn a hard hat, but he readily accepted the offer.
Escorting Dean around the site was Austin Davis, Alberici Constructors Project Engineer, and Wade Needham, Memorial Health System Director of Building and Grounds. The three discussed work that has been completed and the upcoming phase in the construction schedule. Dean shared his observations and asked questions.
Dean stated, “One of the first things I noticed about this job is the cleanliness of the site. That is a difficult thing to do with so many workers on site, like there are on this one, but these workers clean up after themselves.”
According to Austin Davis, keeping the work site clean is a requirement written into the subcontractors’ contracts for several reasons, with the primary reason being safety.
Dean noted changes in equipment and materials that have occurred in the construction industry over the years. He pointed out that the air handler platforms used to be wood but now are galvanized steel.
While the construction industry may be ever-evolving with changes in tools and materials of the trade, one thing that seems to have remained the same is the interest and excitement shared by observers. For some, you might say it’s a passion.
