| HISTORY OF BLUME CONSTRUCTION | MEET THE BUILDER AND THE REST OF HIS TEAM | BIOGRAPHY OF TEAM MEMBERS |
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Blume Construction was founded during the great depression of the 1930's by Sam E. Blume. Sam educated himself by taking "International Correspondence School" courses in Structural Engineering. His father and brother were craftsmen as was later-his son and grandson. His attention to detail and design ideas (arches-porches, etc.) converted many of the then Farmers Savings and Loan repossessed homes into rentable and/or saleable properties.
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BOB BLUME, PARTNER/CEO
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Bob grew up in Peoria and began working for his father when he was 14 years old. Bob followed in his dad's footsteps with a Chicago Technical College two year course in Architecture and Building Construction and accounting in night school under the GI bill. After serving 4 years active duty (31/2 at sea or overseas) in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, he joined his father full time, while at the same time serving 4 more years in the Naval Reserves. Bob has run the company since 1961 when his father, Sam, retired. In the early days, Bob used to frame and trim his houses in addition to being the General Contractor so he truly understands all aspects of the building process. Bob is responsible for the initiation of the "loft" design, many solar applications and the inventor of the hydro riser. Bob also has several copyright designs. |
| The company has initiated many new design ideas, such as the "loft" design of the late 1980's, a dozen or more extensive solar applications and a like number of hot water radiant floor installations. We have built more than one home for several of our clients, as many as 2 to 3 homes within a decade. Our main avenue of advertising for the last 70 years has been by "word of mouth". Blume Construction has always built quality houses at competitive prices and attributes the company's success to its satisfied customers who have spread the word to others. |
 BOBBY BLUME, PARTNER/SUPERVISOR |
Like Bob, Bobby began working part-time for Blume Construction when he was 14. Bobby previously worked as a full-time trimmer and also a framer, but was promoted in 1999 to a supervisory role in the company and became a partner in 2003. You will see Bobby throughout the building process supervising the job and helping out with the final details and punchlist. Bobby also helps with the drafting and estimating and works closely with the customer and subcontractors during the building process. |
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We have built over 1,500 new homes in the Greater Peoria area since being founded in 1930. We take pride in the fact that the company has stayed a family owned business and that so many family members have chosen to join the company. Sam's son Bill handled the real estate portion of the company until his passing in 1981. Bill started Blume Realty after serving in the U.S. Army Air Corp from 1943 to 1946 and graduating from Bradley University under the GI bill. Bob's father-in-law and brother-in-law also worked for the company for many years. |
 NANCY BLUME-WATSON, PARTNER/CFO |
Nancy graduated from ISU in 1983 and pursued a real estate career in Chicago. Nancy transferred back to Peoria in 1995 to open the Bradley R.E. regional office. Nancy decided to join Blume Construction after the birth of her second child and became a partner of the company in 2003. Nancy is married to Mike Watson, who is a manager in Dealer Service Tools for Caterpillar, and they have seven children between them. Nancy handles the accounting, contracts and web site and helps homeowners with any questions during the building process. |
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Three out of four of Bob's children are currently involved in the family business. Bob's fourth child, Sally, is one of the top brokers in the country for Bank of America, formally ABNAMRO, and handles many of the family's investments.
With the talent and experience of our team, you can be confident that your dream home will be built using the finest quality materials and craftsmanship. It is our goal to make your dream a reality, while keeping your budget requirements in mind. |
 KELLY ALBRECHT, WEB DESIGN |
Kelly graduated from SIU in 1989 and pursued a career in Chicago in advertising. Kelly married Jeff Albrecht and they have 2 children, Emily and Kate. Kelly came down to Peoria to help out with the 2006 Parade of Homes and realized that their family could have the American dream and own an affordable home built by the family in Central Illinois. In addition, she was moved by the amount of former customers who came through the Parade of Homes just to see and visit with her dad, Bob Blume, and thought that Blume Construction would be a great place to work full-time. Kelly and her family relocated to Dunlap in the winter of 2006 . They built their dream house and joined Blume Construction. Kelly is one of the project managers and specializes in helping the customer make material and allowance choices for their new dream homes. |
| Click on Pictures to right to enlarge Peoria Journal Star article by Pam Adams dated Sunday, March 10, 1985 featuring Bob Blume's solar energy systems of the 1980's. Credit should also be given to Bob Starr of Solar Option One. |
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Click on pictures to left to enlarge. |
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