Tim Ryan started his construction business in 1957 in Kirkland, focusing on residential and remodeling clients, then moved the business and the family to Kingston in 1972. He “ran” into commercial work and loved it — and has been doing it ever since. Although he started Tim Ryan Construction mostly with the help of his wife, these days he has lots of help: two sons, a daughter, a son-in-law and a grandson are all part of the business.

With son Dan the president, son Kevin the vice president and daughter Colleen the secretary and treasurer, Ryan’s company is in good hands. But he’s not ready to retire just yet, he’s having too much fun.

Ryan, who is the CEO of Tim Ryan Construction, jokes about his contribution: “I kind of check in on a regular basis, wring my hands now and then when I get nervous. ”On the other days, he oversees many of the projects and helps bring all the pieces together.

Ryan fell into construction while paying his way for through college, earning a business degree. He joined the U.S. military, and thought he’d look for a construction job when he was released. But the timing wasn’t so good. It was November of 1957. November is not a good time to get a construction job in the first place, made worse by the fact that there wasn’t much to build back then.

Maybe it was the business education in him talking, but Ryan found the solution: He created a job for himself by starting his own business. In a sense, it was a return to his roots. His grandfather built many of Seattle’s streets. He died young, as did Ryan’s father. Yet Tim Ryan built his own family tradition: The kids were part of the company while growing up.

“When I first got started…I didn’t have time to go to a ball game with them, but they had time to come with me and help me build,” he said. Even with such experience, and degrees in construction management, the two sons didn’t get the foot in the Tim Ryan Construction door right away. Ryan sent them off to work for others, and the two sons did that around the country, one for seven years, and the other for nine — until “they were ready to come home.”

Ryan jokes that with 33 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, they have a plentyful of supply of good labor. And he’s not exactly hands-off himself, confessing that he even carries some tools in the truck. Watching the bulldozers move the first mounds of dirt…and on to the moment when the doors of the new building open brings enjoyment to the veteran builder, each time. “It’s an exciting business, whether we’re pouring concrete or building walls,” he said.

Some aspects are less exciting, and are shared by just about any builder: the paperwork required with all the new regulations, and the time that it takes due to red tape delays.

Ryan looks forward to the year 2007, when the company celebrates 50 years. As long as the job stays fun, he’ll keep at it. After all, “it keeps a guy healthy,” he says.