Today’s “Streaks Alumni Profile” features Sam Fisk from the GHS Class of 1993.
I had the opportunity to have Sam in classes at GHS. Sam’s energy and enthusiasm had the ability to change a class. As a teacher, he made class fun for me!
The best news is that Sam has found his way back to Galesburg! And he and his wife are having a positive impact on our community.
As a brewer, he is my favorite!! If you don’t believe me, stop down to Fisk Bier & Wine. It’s a place that will make you smile!!
Favorite teachers/classes
Mrs. Dokolasa and art classes were always my favorite and most attended classes. Of course I really loved psychology and sociology with Mr. Massey! Mr McMahon for auto shop was a great experience too. Mrs. Banks for German. Mrs Wakefield-Bullis always liked the weird kids like me. Mr. Peck for gym always seemed to put up with my antics. Mr. Harry Davis (social studies) at Churchill was incredible! He was also my fishing buddy.
Sports/activities at GHS, HS jobs
I played golf and tennis. I was varsity for golf and “almost” on the varsity tennis squad. I played football my freshman year but we lived in Ark City, KS. My first job at fifteen was making donuts at Swedoughs. It was a great job for a teenager. I worked from 7pm to 3am. I did the usual lawn mowing and baby sitting for work as well.
Best memories of growing up in Galesburg/attending GHS
Playing music in my high school band the Chaji Bros. is a fond memory. We weren’t the best musicians but we spent hours hanging out playing music. We had band T-shirts, stickers and a “rockumentary” before we had even played a live show. Our first concert was at the Lincoln Park Gazebo the Sunday before Memorial Day 1991 (I think). It seemed like a good crowd.
My best friend Michael Grossman and I would work on our cars a lot on the weekends. We always had many fun weekends hanging out with the exchange students. Some people might remember the time that Michael, myself and all the exchange students had a barbecue in the circle drive by the gym during the extended lunch break during finals. It was in January which made it especially unusual. I was the person that would come up with these ideas and Michael would supply the materials to pull them off. We also spent a lot of time as the stage and lighting crew for GHS theater.
Education after GHS
I attended University of South Dakota my freshman year. Then transferred to University of Kansas where I graduated with a film degree. In 2002 I moved from San Francisco, CA to Galesburg in 2002 and went to nurses training at Carl Sandburg College.
Career- What/Where
After U. of Kansas I moved to San Francisco, CA and initially worked for Vision Trust Radio Promotions and Ubiquity Records. I then worked in hospitality at the W Hotel. I was a “welcome ambassador” AKA bellman and a concierge. I became a registered nurse in 2005, working on a med/surg floor, ICU and emergency room. For the last nine and a half years I’ve worked as an on call hospice nurse for Compassus.
You and/or your family- what you are up to today?
I currently work every other week as an on call hospice nurse for Compassus. My wife Kelly and I opened up Fisk Bier & Wine, a restaurant/bar in August 2025. I started home brewing beer in 2007 and became a professional brewer in 2016 starting at V’s Restaurant & Brewpub in Keokuk, IA and brewed at Cherry Street Brewing Company in Galesburg.
My wife and I have been married for over twenty years. Kelly also works at Knox College as a faculty secretary. Kelly is the brains behind the operations at Fisk Bier & Wine. I curate the beer and cook in the kitchen. Our three kids work with me in the kitchen as well. It’s a fun family affair.
My oldest son Quentin is going into his third year at Coe College, studying biology. My middle son Beaudry will be a senior at GHS and is on the wrestling team. My youngest daughter Kit will be a sophomore and is a football cheerleader.
Advice for present students/athletes
My advice would to always stay curious about life and where it might take you. I have had some amazing adventures in my life. Mostly because of the people I’ve been friends with. As far as athletics, I’d say to have fun and enjoy the ride. It’s just another way to meet great people.
As a great brewer- what are things people probably don’t know about beer?
Well…. Like I always say, I don’t make the beer, the yeast does. I just create the “sugar water” for the yeast to make the beer. Beer is brewed through an amazing process that combines art and science. A little plumbing and a lot of cleaning. There are over 100 different beer styles with 150 different subcategories.
I’ve drank thousands of beers over the last twenty years and I gravitate towards the classic styles. Styles that have been brewed for many, many years.
For me beer is the superior beverage because of all the amazing flavor and aroma combinations it has. Bitter, malty sweet, sour, dry, citrus, fruity esters, floral, earthy, herbal, tropical fruit, pine just to name a few. Beer is full of micronutrients which have many health benefits. This is, of course, in moderation.
Why did you come back to Galesburg?
I had been living in San Francisco for six years after I graduated from college. Getting tired of the rat race of living in a city. One day, I remember talking with my mom and complaining about my life. She suggested I move back to Galesburg and go to nursing school. I was ready for a change.
After moving back, I thought Galesburg was an amazing place in 2002. It is even more amazing now! I guess I felt a little lost living in a big city. It was hard for me to think about living my entire life there. I’ve really enjoyed my adult life in Galesburg and being a purveyor of Galesburg. For me it’s one of those cheesy motivational quotes “bloom where you are planted”.
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