Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. John Shali Shalikashvili (Gamma Upsilon/Bradley 1958) died Saturday morning at an Army hospital in Washington State of complications following a stroke. He was 75.
Brother Shalikashvili succeeded Gen. Colin L. Powell in 1993 as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and served under President Bill Clinton until retiring in 1997. He advised the president on situations in the Balkans, Haiti and elsewhere and lead the militarys humanitarian efforts following the end of the first Gulf War.
Born in Poland, he emigrated with his family to Peoria, IL, when he was 16 years old. After graduating from Peoria High School in 1954, he attended Bradley University, where he joined Gamma Upsilon Chapter. He became a citizen in 1958 and was drafted shortly thereafter. He rose through the ranks over the next three decades before becoming assistant to Gen. Powell in 1991.
A true patriot, Theta Chi is very grateful to have known and counted the General as one of its most distinguished members, Theta Chi Executive Director Mike Mayer said. We extend our deepest condolences to his family."
Brother Shalikashvili served on the Bradley board of trustees from 1994 to 1999 and maintained an honorary position. He was most recently living in Tacoma, Wash. and was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award by the Grand Chapter at its in 2009 meeting in Seattle.
In a 1994 interview for The Rattle, Brother Shalikashvili spoke fondly of his time with Theta Chi: The Fraternity offered, and still offers, a wonderful opportunity to develop and hone leadership skills. The Theta Chi experience has served me well throughout my Army career, with amazing and sometimes surprising results.
Theta Chi thanks Brother Shalikashvili for his service to his country and to his Fraternity. You read more about his story here.