“Caterpillar has been pretty good to me.” Lafayette Employee Celebrates 50 Years of Service

Steve Bloch describes his career with Caterpillar as “full of happy coincidences.” He smiled and jested, “I’ve managed to make a good wage and raise a family pretty much all by accident.”

Steve started working with Caterpillar as a hand trucker in Building KK in East Peoria, Illinois in 1968 and works today as a Manufacturing Project Engineer in Lafayette, overseeing the hot test process. In the late 1980s, Steve worked in Mossville and contributed to the planning of the Lafayette facility. After he transferred to Lafayette in the 1990s, he signed up for a work/study program to attend Purdue University and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. From there, he continued his career with Caterpillar as an engineer.

“Working with Steve for more than 20 years has positively influenced my career and personal life. Being able to work with someone who was on the original design team for the Lafayette test cells has been a great opportunity—no one has more experience with our test cells. Steve has always willingly shared his knowledge, making me better at what I do” – Jason, Caterpillar Engineer.

Throughout his 50 years of service, he has worked as an electrician helper, maintenance technician, training instructor, and electrical engineer. He has also traveled to the United Kingdom, China, Ireland, Singapore, India, Germany, Sweden, and many other places for a whopping total of 399,446 miles on the job!

“Caterpillar has been pretty good to me,” said Steve.

When he’s not working, Steve enjoys riding bikes with his grandchildren. He also participates in Tippecanoe County’s annual CASA bike ride which raises funds for disadvantaged youth and is involved in the United Way’s Read to Succeed program.

Caterpillar: Build Your Career. Build What Matters.