After 49 years, SJU employee bids farewell

Long time SJU Grounds Crew employee Gary Pflueger retired last week after 49 years of service to the University and Abbey communities.

Gary Pflueger started working at SJU in August of 1976, replacing his uncle, Robert Pflueger, who he said worked at SJU for 44 years.

“At the time I was working at the feed mill in St. Joe, driving trucks there,” Gary Pflueger said. “I was getting $3.00 an hour there at the time, and [SJU Grounds] offered me $3.50, so I took it.”

Gary Pflueger’s daughter, Becky Pflueger, also works on campus as the Gallery Manager for both CSB and SJU campuses. She said that he demonstrates a natural tendency to serve.

“He is somebody that is super friendly and will always lend a hand to anyone in need,” Becky Pflueger said. “I have really early memories of him pulling people out of the snow when they got stuck. Somebody’s house burned down, [then he’d say] do we have extra winter coats, let’s go give them to this person. It’s really those true Benedictine values he lives by.”

Tony Webber, SJU Grounds Director, said that over many years, Gary Pflueger has taken on many different jobs at SJU.

“Gary filled many roles over his long tenure at St. John’s — everything from mowing and tree removal to digging gravesites and catching squirrels that get into the grounds building, and of course we all have seen him plowing snow up in that big loader,” Webber said via email.

Webber said Gary Pflueger developed a unique set of knowledge that the department has relied on for new projects.

“His vast knowledge of the property will be sorely missed. Gary has a great recollection of little things that were done 10, 20 years ago, even more that we have used to help with new projects,” Webber said via email. “It always amazed me how he could recall an old valve box or something that may have been buried during a renovation years ago, and most of the time he was spot on. It will certainly be impossible to replace that.”

When asked about what kind of work a groundskeeper can expect at SJU, Gary Pflueger said there has been significant variety in his day-to- day work.

“It’s anything from picking up garbage, to helping the physical plant guys, to mowing grass, to shoveling snow, to trimming trees. In my younger days I used to go out in the woods where there was no work on campus in the winter, and I’d help the guys log out there,” Gary Pflueger said. “It’s just an honest day’s work.”

Gary Pfleuger said he stayed as long as he did in part because of the people he worked with, particularly the student employees.

“[What kept me was] probably working with the kids,” Gary Pfleuger said. “They were always pretty energetic, and it was always enjoyable working with them.”

Webber said he believes that this sentiment went both ways, and that Gary Pflueger was a recognizable and beloved face on campus.

“He was always having fun and looking to brighten others’ day. There were not many people around St. John’s Gary didn’t know,” Webber said via email. “I can’t even guess how many times he got stopped during the day from someone who wanted to say hi and catch up.”

Becky Pflueger echoed this sentiment and said that her father’s many connections were evident in his on-campus popularity.

“He walks onto campus and he’s immediately a superstar; everyone wants to talk to him,” Becky Pflueger said.

According to Gary Pflueger, a lot has changed during his 49 years at SJU, especially in Flynntown.

“I remember years ago when I first started, there was about 10-12 houses there on either side of Fruit Farm Road, and people that worked in St. John’s used to live in those houses,” Gary Pflueger said. “Slowly but surely it all changed. I watched the Earth Homes be built, watched them be torn down and now there’s New Seton there…I’ve seen a lot of change in my time here.”

Becky Pflueger said that her father’s footprint can be seen all over through the work he’s done on campus.

“On the Grounds Crew you visually see your impact,” Becky Pflueger said. “You plant a tree and then see how big it is so many years later… in fact, if you go on Old Collegeville Road, all those massive pine trees — he planted all those. And that’s just one example; he really works with all aspects of the campus.”

Webber said he believes that Gary Pflueger’s long-time contributions and personality leave behind a legacy that the Grounds Crew will remember.

“Gary’s experience, knowledge… and goofy demeanor will surely be missed, but I am sure he will stop by for a cup of coffee from time to time to catch up. We sure hope so anyway,” Webber said via email.