You’ve likely seen the Paschen name plastered on green construction fences all over Chicago, but the man behind the modern iteration of that legacy, Henry D. Paschen Jr., was a whole lot more than just a guy in a hard hat. Honestly, most people today recognize the name from the massive orange and blue cranes scattered across the Midwest skyline. But "Buzz"—as his friends and family called him—lived a life that reads more like a classic American novel than a corporate bio.
He wasn't just building subways and water plants. He was the man who provided the steady ground for one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, Maria Tallchief.
Who Was Henry D. Paschen Jr. Really?
Born on February 1, 1927, in Chicago, Henry Daniel Paschen Jr. grew up in the shadow of a family business that literally helped rebuild the city after the Great Fire of 1871. Think about that for a second. His family’s fingerprints are on the very foundations of the Windy City.
By the time Buzz took the reins as chairman and CEO of Paschen Contractors, the stakes were higher. He wasn't just tuck-pointing old brick; he was handling heavy-duty civil infrastructure. We’re talking about the Jardine Water Purification Plant—one of the largest in the world—and the deep tunnels that keep Chicago from turning into a lake every time it rains.
But if you ask a historian about him, they might not start with the concrete. They'll start with the year 1955.
That’s when Buzz met Maria Tallchief. She was a global superstar, a prima ballerina who had been married to the legendary choreographer George Balanchine. She was used to a world of high art, ego, and relentless discipline. Then she met a Chicago builder who, by her own admission, knew absolutely nothing about ballet.
She found it "refreshing." Kinda tells you everything you need to know about the guy’s personality. He was grounded. He was real.
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The Construction Legacy Beyond the Blueprint
It’s easy to get lost in the list of projects, but Henry D. Paschen Jr. didn't just build things; he navigated a transition in the industry. Under his leadership, the company moved into massive federal projects.
Look at the Dirksen and Kluczynski Federal Buildings in the Loop. Or the expansion of McCormick Place. These aren't just buildings; they are the economic engines of Illinois. Buzz had this knack for managing the impossible logistics of urban construction without losing his cool.
He didn't just stay in Illinois, either. He took the Paschen name national.
- The Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa? That was them.
- The Washington State Convention Center in Seattle? Also them.
- IBM facilities across the East Coast? You guessed it.
Even with all that growth, he kept the company feeling like a family operation. That’s probably why the firm, now known as F.H. Paschen (led by his relative Bud Paschen), still carries that "handshake matters" reputation today.
Life With a Legend: The Tallchief Connection
Marrying Maria Tallchief in 1956 wasn't just a celebrity wedding; it was a merger of two very different worlds. Maria was an Osage woman who had conquered the European-dominated world of dance. Henry was the backbone of Chicago’s industrial growth.
They had a daughter, Elise Paschen, who grew up to be an acclaimed poet. It’s a wild mix of DNA—construction, world-class dance, and literature.
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One of the coolest things about Buzz was how he supported Maria's career after she "retired" from the stage. When she wanted to bring high-level ballet to Chicago, he didn't just sit on the sidelines. He helped her found the Chicago City Ballet in 1981. He understood that a city isn't just made of steel beams and concrete; it needs soul. It needs art.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that the Paschen success was just "inherited." While it’s true he was a third-generation builder, the 20th-century construction world was a meat grinder. You didn't survive just because your grandfather was a tuck-pointer.
Henry D. Paschen Jr. survived because he was an innovator. He was early to adopt the complex bidding processes required for massive municipal work. He dealt with the tough politics of Chicago city contracts and emerged with a reputation for actually getting the job done.
When he passed away in 2004 at the age of 77 due to pancreatic cancer, the tributes didn't just talk about the buildings. They talked about his humor and his ability to bridge the gap between a construction site and a gala at the Lyric Opera.
Actionable Takeaways from the Paschen Playbook
If you’re looking at Henry’s life for a bit of inspiration, honestly, there are a few things we can still learn from his "Buzz" style of leadership:
Diversification is Survival
Paschen didn't just stick to one type of building. He pushed into transit, water treatment, and high-rise federal work. If one sector of the economy slowed down, the others kept the cranes moving.
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Support the Visionaries Around You
He was a powerhouse in his own right, but he never felt threatened by his wife’s massive fame. Instead, he used his organizational muscle to help her build her own legacy in Chicago’s cultural scene.
Reputation is the Real Foundation
In an industry often marred by shortcuts, the Paschen name survived for over a century because they respected the "handshake." Whether it’s 1902 or 2026, that still carries weight.
Keep It Simple
Despite his wealth and influence, he remained the guy who didn't feel the need to pretend he understood the nuances of a pirouette just to fit in. Being authentically yourself is a superpower in business.
The next time you're stuck in traffic near O'Hare or walking past a major civic project in Chicago, look for the name. It’s a reminder that the city we see today was built by people who were just as interested in the "refreshing" simplicity of a good day's work as they were in the grand architecture of a legacy.
To understand the full scope of what the Paschen family continues to do, you can look into the Paschen Prize, which was established to honor public progress in construction. It’s a direct descendant of the work Buzz started decades ago—recognizing projects that actually improve people's lives, from schools to transit hubs.