“Chuck Buss would read an equipment manual and figure out how to repair things he’d never seen before,” said Keith Watkins, McElroy’s VP and commercial HVAC service manager. “He earned a unique reputation for fixing boilers that even the boiler-factory techs couldn’t match. All over our region, when a boiler went down, people would call McElroy’s and ask for Chuck!” On August 5, 2026, we celebrate with Chuck Buss, commercial HVAC service technician, for his 30^th year on the McElroy’s team. We appreciate Chuck’s ability to educate himself on complex systems, learn to trouble-shoot them, and find ideal solutions.

Technical Interest

Chuck grew up in O’Fallon, Missouri, northwest of St. Louis. His family moved to Manhattan, Kansas, when he was a high-school junior. Chuck’s father, Robert, was a U.S. Air Force mechanic and loadmaster. “There wasn’t much my dad couldn’t do,” said Chuck. Like his father, Chuck was interested in science and technical things. “I took shop courses like automotive and welding, and went to night school to learn about refrigeration.”

Desire to Learn

After high school, Chuck took a maintenance position at what was then Manhattan’s Ramada Inn. An older employee there took Chuck under his wing and got him interested in HVAC. “I had a burning desire to learn everything I could,” Chuck said. He joined the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society – a training and certification association for HVAC professionals. “I took night classes for a few years and got a job with an HVAC contractor in Manhattan.” Working there for about seven years, Chuck continued expanding his trade knowledge, working on residential and light commercial HVAC projects.

Move to McElroy’s

In 1996, Chuck had a conversation with a commercial HVAC service technician from McElroy’s that Chuck’s older brother knew. “He told me if I moved to McElroy’s, it would be a union job with better pay, bigger projects and strong company support,” Chuck said. “I knew about McElroy’s good reputation, and that their team had a broad pool of knowledge. Working with the McElroy’s techs, there’d be nothing I couldn’t learn to handle. Plus, I was amazed to see the McElroy’s warehouse had more inventory available than most supply houses!”

Feeling Appreciated

“McElroy’s has always had plenty for me to do, and it’s rewarding work,” Chuck said. “I like it when a customer has a sticky situation with their equipment, like a cranky old boiler, and they call and ask for my help. Some days things don’t go as smoothly as I’d like, but when I get solutions worked out, it’s always worth the effort. It’s very family oriented here, and I’ve always felt appreciated – by our customers and the company. I love working for McElroy’s!”

Customers at Heart

“Chuck lives in Wamego, 45 minutes west of Topeka. But he’ll jump in his van and go wherever he needs to if he can help, even on a Sunday,” said Greg Zabokrtsky, McElroy’s commercial HVAC service tech, nearing 34 years with the company. “He has that old-school work ethic where the day or time doesn’t matter, he just has the customer’s best interest in mind. I’ve been doing this a long time myself, but Chuck still gives me valuable tips. He’s an all-around great guy who’s happy to share his knowledge. Chuck likes to help anybody learn.”

Chuck’s World

“Commercial HVAC service is Chuck’s world, and he’s exceptionally good at it. He’s got so much knowledge stored in his photographic memory, he can diagnose HVAC problems over the phone!” said Kim Davidson, McElroy’s customer service rep. “I never worry about who I should dispatch for certain tough challenges. I know when I send Chuck, he’ll get the work done thoroughly and I won’t have a call-back. Chuck’s a loyal McElroy’s guy, but he’s also devoted to his family. Hardly a day goes by without a new story about his cutie-patootie grandbabies!”

Family Life

Chuck and his wife Frances met while he was working at the Ramada where she was a bartender and hostess. Today, they live near Wamego and they own the Family Hairworx salon in St. Marys. Their daughter Alexandria lives in Brooklyn, NY, where she is a server at a high-end restaurant. Daughter Victoria lives in Kansas City and works in auto parts retail. Son Brandon lives in nearby Belvue and is a deputy for Pottawatomie County. Brandon and his wife Tylar have three daughters, Bostyn, age 5, Bowen, age 3, and Brewen, eight months, all of whom Chuck adores.

Museum Volunteer

When he’s not working, or enjoying his family time, Chuck volunteers at the American Flight Museum at Forbes Field in Topeka. “My dad’s Air Force career got me fascinated with aircraft,” said Chuck. “A McElroy’s friend of mine who volunteers with the Museum asked me to help him put in a heater there. We did that, and then I helped install a new starter on a plane engine. I was hooked! It’s rewarding to put my mechanical skills to work helping restore historic aircraft.”

Teamwork

“I’ve raised a family working for McElroy’s. I don’t know anything else, and I never wanted to,” Chuck said. “I’ve just focused on what I’m good at, and kept learning more about it. Change is constant in this industry, but you can self-educate and work with great people who will help you along. We have that teamwork at McElroy’s.” We appreciate Chuck’s hard-earned ability to spot whatever is causing an HVAC problem – and fix it – and his willingness to help his teammates to learn and grow. Thank you, Chuck! You’re a key contributor who makes the McElroy’s commercial HVAC service team the best there is.