Services planned for George Kalb, who had 43-year construction career

Kalb, 68, died Oct. 24, two years after retiring from a 43-year career in construction.

“It was my honor to serve him,” co-worker Rick Thomas said. “He was a hands-on guy, but more important, he was a good man.”

Kalb started Kalb Construction Co. with his brother, Steve, in 1980. From 1980-2000, Kalb Construction Co. built several restaurants and more than 200 convenience stores in Las Vegas.

Though Kalb was a busy man, Thomas said he always had time for his employees.

“If he was busy in his office, he’d finish what he was doing and invite you in,” he said. “He was always willing to listen to you.”

Thomas reminisced about the time Kalb let his granddaughter roller skate in a new parking garage they had built so they could test out the new surface.

Kalb also enjoyed the outdoors and served as a board member of the Safari International Club, and he was a member of Ducks Unlimited.

Thomas worked for Kalb for 17 years. He said Kalb knew what it took to be successful in the construction business.

“He was firm but fair. Construction isn’t the easiest business, but George always made it work,” Thomas said. “Not a lot of men knew the definition of a good deal. George did.”

Thomas worked with Kalb when they completed a $24 million project for Fletcher Jones in 2006. Kalb Construction also built the McCarran Center, a 100-acre business park.

In 2013, Kalb Industries of Nevada won the Change is Good Award at Nevada Business Magazine’s Family Owned Business Awards.

“If you knew him, you loved him,” Thomas said. “I miss his guidance.”

Kalb is survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara; brother, Steve; daughter, Cindy; son, Jeff; and three grandchildren, Hannah, Tanner and Devlin.

Services are planned for 10 a.m. today at Palm Mortuary-Eastern, 7600 S. Eastern Ave.

Contact reporter Steven Slivka at sslivka@reviewjournal.com. Follow @StevenSlivka on Twitter.