Personally, I think a quilt of themed fabric would be like taking a busmans holiday.
I would suggest a Carpenters square pattern. A very old fashioned, simple, manly pattern in two colors. I may have the name wrong 'cause the ones I see on the board aren't what I was thinking of. I'll have to look in my book and re-post Or a log cabin, or a modified schoolhouse. They hint at his career without proclaiming it. I think making a quilt for him is a great idea.
peace :D
I found it. In a book: Better Homes and Gardens Quilting Pieces of the Past; pub. 2004. It looks rather complicated but I don't think it is becauce it is just strips of fabric. Lovely in blue and white. Just a thought. may all go well.