Learn the story behind Thom Gleich’s handcrafted wood carving tribute honoring Suburban Construction founder Brian D. Girskis and his lasting Quad Cities legacy.
Legacy • Craftsmanship • Community
A Tribute Carved in Wood: Thom Gleich Honors Brian D. Girskis
What began as a siding consultation between Thom Gleich and JR Girskis turned into an extraordinary handcrafted tribute honoring the founder of Suburban Construction and the values that shaped a Quad Cities company for generations.
Thom Gleich spent 34 years as a school teacher, but long before retirement, he discovered a second passion that would eventually become one of the defining parts of his life: wood carving.
In 1983, Thom purchased a simple carving knife and a block of wood. His very first carving—a small boot finished on December 13, 1983—would unknowingly begin a lifelong artistic journey.
After that first project, he was hooked.
“It’s work sometimes, it’s messy sometimes, but it’s all worth it in the end!”
Thom officially retired from teaching in 2009 so he could pursue wood carving full time. Over the past 33 years, he estimates that he has completed nearly 2,000 carvings of all shapes and sizes.
Every year, he says he falls deeper into the world of carving—and jokes that perhaps he was destined for it, considering his wife’s maiden name is Wood.
34 Years Teaching
Thom dedicated more than three decades to education before fully pursuing his passion for wood carving.
Nearly 2,000 Carvings
Over three decades of carving, Thom created thousands of handcrafted wood art pieces.
One-of-a-Kind Tribute
The Brian Girskis carving became one of Thom’s most meaningful and technically challenging projects.
How the Project Began
The story behind the carving started unexpectedly.
Thom had contacted Suburban Construction because he needed siding for his home. After researching local companies, he scheduled an appointment with Suburban Construction to discuss the project.
One evening, JR Girskis visited Thom’s home to measure the project and prepare an estimate. During the visit, Thom began showing JR some of his completed carvings.
One conversation led to another, and JR asked a simple question:
“Would you be able to do a carving of my father as a tribute?”
Thom responded:
“I don’t see why not.”
And with that, a remarkable new project was born.
A Rare Piece of Butternut Wood
Thom had a very rare piece of butternut wood in his workshop that he believed would be perfect for the tribute.
Butternut trees have become increasingly rare in Iowa because a devastating blight disease destroyed much of the species over time. The remaining trees are often attacked by powderpost beetles, making quality wood increasingly difficult to find.
Thom viewed the wood as something special—a material worthy of honoring someone important to the Quad Cities community and the history of Suburban Construction.
Bringing Brian to Life in Wood
JR and Thom spent time discussing what pose would best represent Brian D. Girskis. JR shared stories about his father and supplied photographs to help guide the carving.
Together, they decided to portray Brian as many people remembered him while running the business:
- Button-down dress shirt
- Khaki pants
- Slip-on loafers
Thom spent nearly three months during the winter carefully designing and carving the tribute.
First, he mapped out proportions and measurements to fit the sculpture properly within the unique shape of the wood. After rough blocking with a chainsaw, Thom moved to finer detail work using traditional carving tools like chisels and mallets.
Challenges Along the Way
Like many handcrafted works, the project came with unexpected obstacles.
- Thom discovered unstable wood fibers near the left side of Brian’s neck and had to stabilize the area using wood hardener and fillers.
- Later, a crack developed near Brian’s face, requiring Thom to carefully insert additional wood pieces, reshape the area, and blend the structure back into the carving.
- Throughout the project, Thom constantly adjusted proportions and detail work to maintain realism while preserving the integrity of the rare wood.
Despite the setbacks, Thom continued refining the piece until the tribute was finally completed.
The Legacy of Brian D. Girskis
Brian D. Girskis was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Growing up, he became a passionate fan of both the Detroit Tigers and Notre Dame football.
After college, Brian was hired by Alside, a building materials company with distribution centers throughout the country. As he continued climbing the corporate ladder, he was eventually transferred to the Quad Cities area to manage the local Alside supply center.
During those years, Brian noticed something important:
Great products were available, but customer service in the remodeling industry was often lacking.
Brian believed he could change that.
In 1985, with three young boys at home, he started Suburban Construction from the basement of his home with one guiding principle:
“Take care of the customer, and they will take care of you.”
That philosophy helped transform Suburban Construction into one of the most trusted and recognized remodeling companies in the Quad Cities.
A Second Life for the Wood — and the Legacy
Thom often reflects on the incredible journey of the butternut tree itself—how a small nut planted decades ago eventually grew into a massive tree on an Iowa bluff before becoming part of this tribute.
To Thom, the carving represents more than craftsmanship. It represents transformation, legacy, and memory.
The wood was given a second life, just as Brian Girskis’ message continues to live on through the company he founded and the people who continue carrying that vision forward today.
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