William Bernard "Bernie" Madden, the owner of Madden McFarland Interiors, passed away Aug. 1.

William Bernard "Bernie" Madden died Aug. 1, surrounded by family. He was born on Nov. 7, 1933, in Summerfield, Kans., to Catherine and William Patrick Madden. He served as part of the Army’s peace-keeping forces in Munich, Germany, during the Korean War, and was well-known throughout the flooring industry for a life built on service, devotion to his family and community, and his business.

Madden was the owner of Madden McFarland Interiors and took great joy in his work. Colleagues remembered Madden as someone who “loved his employees and considered each one of them a part of his extended family. He took particular joy in mentoring the talents of others and encouraging their success.”

International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI) shared the following statement on the news of Madden’s death: “CFI and the flooring industry have lost a true friend in Bernie Madden. He was definitely one of a kind. He believed in CFI from the onset and continually offered support. He was a founding member of the Kansas City Chapter and spoke on behalf of professional flooring installers everywhere he went. He was the first recipient of the Chris Davis Award for his belief in quality flooring installation. He was a dealer who meant what he said and conducted his business accordingly.”

Asked to share his personal recollections of Madden, Jim Walker, CFI CEO, noted, “Bernie was the image of what everyone should aspire to be: a perfect gentleman and a great friend.  We worked for Madden McFarland Interiors, one of the most recognized and respected firms in the country, for almost 40 years. Bernie never once said, ‘How cheap, how fast?’ but instead, ‘Can you please my customers?’ If every dealer in this country took the attitude Bernie had about installation, there would be no shortage of flooring installers. We were a team in the real sense of the word; working together for the good of the customer. If the price was $200 a stair and we had a reason for that, Bernie and his staff could sell it and we delivered the value they expected.”

He added, “Bernie was there for me at the onset of CFI as a director of the Kansas City Chapter. He wanted installers to have the opportunity to understand how much they contribute to the success of the dealers. He spoke at every CFI Convention; many times as the emcee. He was loved by every CFI member and continually shared advice and sat with them to answer questions and offer guidance. Bernie will be greatly missed. There are not enough words to describe the meaning that he brought to so many lives. He was our dear friend as well as business colleague. My prayer would be that there will someday be so many Bernies that we will never again have to worry about the shortage of flooring installers in this industry.”

Madden is preceded in death by his parents, William Patrick and Catherine Madden, his sister Mary Madden Fobes and brother-in-law Bob Fobes, and sister-in-law Sue Madden. He is survived by wife Jackie, and children Michelle Madden (David) Miller, Michael (Kelly) Madden, Mary (Randy) Bryson, Denise (Frank) Jurden, Patrick (Kim) Madden, and Paul (Venessa) Madden. He is also survived by grandchildren Christine Durham, Dawn and Mesmariah Hall, Liam, Harris and Jacqueline Bryson, Zac, Ava and Eli Jurden, Will, Joe and Lily Madden, Collin and Carson Wolf, Lena, Elise, Liv, and Lexi Madden; his brother Jim (Loretta) Madden and his brother Butch, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Madden was honored with numerous awards throughout his life, including The Herb Rome award at Bishop Miege, the Cross of the Order of St. Benedict, and the Deo Gratias Award from the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to St. Ann Catholic Church, Bishop Miege High School, and Catholic Community Hospice. Condolences may be left online at mcgilleystatelinechapel.com, McGilley State Line, 12301 State Line Road, KCMO.