Page 1 - Sigma Alpha Mu - The Rhomer - Summer 2018

Summer 2018 | Sigma Alpha Mu, University of Illinois | Alumni Relations Office | P.O. Box 80828, Atlanta, Georgia 30366 | 770-903-3987

Alumni Spotlight Editor’s Note: For this edition of the
newsletter, we’re shining the Spotlight
on two men who are extraordinary examples of a Sammy man, Brother
Art Salk ’52 and Brother Andrew Rachmiel ’96.5. Both Art and Andy
have showcased leadership and have made outstanding achievements
in the business world that will last a lifetime.
Arthur P. Salk ’52

Art Salk ’52 is a retired architect and athlete, At only 16 years
hailing from Chicago, Illinois. He and his wife, old, Art’s father
Evelyn, have been married now for 68 years and taught him how to
have three grown and successful kids: Bruce, fly a plane. This
Carol, and Janet. He also has eight grandchildren skill would serve (Left-right): Art with his father, Sam, and brother, Bob.
and one great-grandson. Art and Evelyn, a retired him well once he
teacher, enjoy going out for dinner, catching a enrolled at Illinois. After one semester of college, comedian, was also a member. We also had
movie, and spending time with their family. Art, Art enlisted with the US Navy Air Corps service a lot of great athletes. I was an all-around
almost 93 years old and and served for two years in aviation. Returning athlete for our fraternity sports – gymnastics,
still driving, spends his to school, Art began studying architecture. wrestling (weight-class champion), rope climb
time working out at his Bill Carson was Art’s roommate. When the (champion), and weight lifting. Many of the
health club three days a fraternity house caught on fire, they both jumped brothers had been in the service and came
week and occasionally out of a second-floor window and narrowly back to finish school. The fact that I was a
hitting the driving escaped death with only sprains and bruises. Sammy, and everyone was a friend...It was a
range. He can bench Unfortunately, the house didn’t survive as well as phenomenal experience in brotherhood. My
press two 40-pound they did and was a total loss. younger brother, Bob Salk ’47, also joined the
hand weights and “We had the best group of guys. Arte house so it was a family affair.”
can do five sets of ten Johnson ’49—pictured left, during the “Laugh Art went on to earn his architectural degree
325-pound leg lift reps. In” skit with Dean Martin and Diane Shatz— and continued to work in the field for 56
Arte Johnson ’49 with Dean He also does inversions was in the movies. His brother managed him
Martin and Diane Shatz
on the rings. in California. Allan Sherman, a well-known Salk (Continued on Page 3)
Andrew G. Rachmiel ’96.5

Andrew Rachmiel ’96.5, CPA, (former board president) at SitStayRead. He
MIS, is the chief financial officer has spent the past decade as an entrepreneur
and chief information officer at and business owner. In 2004 Andy cofounded
Oval Fire Products Corporation, an international IBM services and software
an innovative, early-stage company company, which he sold in 2012 to a Fortune
currently disrupting the fire 100 corporation. In the subsequent two years
protection industry. Born and raised prior to joining Oval, Andy worked with fellow
in Cincinnati, Ohio, Andy met his Sammy Joshua S. Berman ’96.5 to cofound
wife Jenn at the U of I, and they’ve several early-stage investment vehicles that
been married for 18 years. They have made investments into numerous early-
now live in Park Ridge, Illinois, stage companies. Andy received his bachelor
with their twin daughters, Morgan of science in accountancy with highest honors
(14), Anna (14), two dogs, and from the U of I and his master’s in information
two cats. Andy served as treasurer systems from DePaul University.
while an active chapter member.
Andy with his wife, Jenn, and their twin daughters, Anna and Morgan, at their In his free time, he volunteers his What did you enjoy most as an active chapter
bat mitzvah in 2017. time and serves as a board member Rachmiel (Continued on Page 4)