Robert Sielski 64 I am apparently either in very good health
Robert A. Sielski ’64 didn’t see DX as an “Animal House” as many others did, but admits that the chapter certainly did have their moments and had plenty of fun. After several years as a civilian employee of the U.S. Navy in Washington, one marriage, one daughter and five grandchildren later, Bob is still actively involved in running, biking and swimming and, apparently, in very good health!
Click below for a brief Q&A with Bob about his time in the chapter and what he’s been up to since.
Robert Fogler ’91: “I’ve learned much more from my failures than my successes.”
Brother Robert Fogler ’91’s family certainly has history at UM, with his parents working at the university, his brother also being a member of DX and his sons being die-hard UM fans. It was during his time in the chapter that kegs were banned from the houses, and Bob remembers hundreds of fun times they had “without paying for strangers to drink our beer and vomit in our house.” Though he and his wife lost their entire life’s savings in a failed African sports TV business, they don’t regret the decision for a second, and Bob went on to become a co-owner of a financial services firm and an energy company.
Click below for a brief Q&A with Bob about his time in the chapter and what he’s been up to since.
Barry Fasbender ’59: “You never know where life will take you.”
Brother Barry Fasbender ’59 has met many of his best friends through Delta Chi at UM, but one of the best parts, he says, was meeting his wife, Alice. Since graduation, Barry and Alice have moved to Seattle, then to Palo Alto, San Francisco Bay and plan on moving to southern Oregon in the near future. No matter where they’ve moved, however, Barry has kept his one true passion going…his swimming. He continues to swim 3,000-4,000 yards a day and has set many records, only one of which remains.
Click below to hear what Barry has been up to since graduation in his own words.
Brother John Hale “Egg” Eggertsen ’68: “My time with Michigan Delta Chi was different from most.”
Brother John Eggertsen ’68 admits that his Delta Chi experience was unconventional. Since his parents lived in Ann Arbor, John turned to Greek life to avoid living at home. However, Greek life wasn’t as popular in the ‘60s and the Chapter House experienced financial tension, though it survived when others didn’t. John managed to “lose” the Army draft lottery and went on to receive a law degree with honors from the University of Toledo and establish a very successful law career.
Click below to read more about John’s time in Delta Chi and what he’s been up to since.
Gary Mervak ’74: “It’s a small world when you’re a Delta Chi!”
The years Brother Gary Mervak ’74 spent as an undergraduate member of Delta Chi at Michigan weren’t always easy, but they resulted in a bond that would never break and some incredible memories that will never be forgotten. No matter where his life choices have taken him, he has always felt at home with Michigan alumni and Delta Chi Brothers he’s run into along the way. Gary’s last visit to the house was before it had been torn down for reconstruction, but he knows that its spirit is still there, just as members have come and gone, but the brotherhood remains.
Click below to hear about Gary’s time in Delta Chi in his own words.
Dan Hughes ’74: “I would like to think that anyone … would say they are better for that relationship with me.”
Though Delta Chi at the U of M was referred to as a “geek house”, Brother Dan “Hugs” Hughes ’74 said that the brothers wore the label proudly and made countless memories together. Dan makes it a point to stay in contact with several brothers and has found that he can pick right back up where they left off years ago. In fact, close friendships and bonds are a sort of specialty for Dan, and he hopes that those who have met him would say that they are better for that relationship.
Though his nickname is “Hugs”, Dan has proven to be one tough cookie, having been divorced once, had double cardiac bypass surgery and achieving great success in his career despite not receiving a U of M diploma.
Click below for a full Q&A with Dan about his time in Delta Chi and what he has been up to since.
Brother Tim Curtin ’64: You CAN Fool Some of the People All of the Time
Though he lacked social skills upon arriving at U of M, Brother Tim Curtin ’64 managed to become part of the greatest chapter of them all—DX Michigan. Brother Curtin met Colleen, now his wife, through one of his gen-ed classes and landed a job with the Taft, Stettinius and Hollister of Cincinnati law firm after a woman in the U of M’s law school guidance office decided to schedule an interview for him. After having two children, Tim and his wife decided to move back to Michigan near their families and find jobs with more steady hours. Click below to find out what he’s been up to in his own words.
Stephen Baird ’64: “I’ve Been Blessed Thus Far”
Brother Stephen Baird ’64 may have been swayed by his brothers to get season football tickets and, as a result, miss taking the actuarial exam, but that didn’t stop him. He became a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries in 1970 and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries in 1974. But that’s not all! He has managed to keep busy with his family, skiing, hiking, building model railroads and being a deacon in the Episcopal Church. Click below for a full Q&A with Brother Baird.
Duncan Kretovich ’66: “No particular regrets…I’ve had a good run.”
During his time in the chapter, Brother Duncan Kretovich ’66 found not only lifelong friends, but also a safe haven from the pressures of his intense classes. Even in tough times, such as the day that JFK was shot and killed, Duncan and the rest of his Brothers would find solace in each other’s company. After several degrees and career changes, Duncan now has two daughters and two granddaughters with his wife, Donna. Click below for a full Q&A with Duncan about his fond memories of the chapter as well as what he’s been up to since.
Brother Paul Van Gasse ’06
Brother Paul Van Gasse ’06 takes pride in the fact that his class ‘re-booted’ the chapter and still gets a chuckle out of the fact that new members study his class’ names for AMC. After some great years in Delta Chi Michigan and making several lifelong friendships, Paul married his wife, Nikki, which he notes is one of his greatest accomplishments. Together, they had a son, Clay, who had a rough start but has since overcome. Click below for an interesting (and comical) Q&A with Paul.
