Repository

Heinz History Center

Title

S.R. Rackoff Papers and Photographs

Creator

Rackoff, S.R., 1922-1996

Collection Number

MSS 312

Extent

3 linear feet (2 boxes and 1 oversize folder)

Date

1903-1996

Abstract

S.R. Rackoff was born in Connellsville, Pa., the son of Russian immigrants. He was a commissioned officer in the United States Navy during World War II and afterwards worked at American Shearing Knife Company (now known as ASKO, Inc.) He was president of the company from 1962 until his retirement in 1981. Materials in the collection relate primarily to S.R. Rackoff and his extended family.

Language

The material in this collection is in English.

Author

This guide to the collection was originally prepared by S. Melnick in May 2000. Revisions occurred to the finding aid as a part of the encoding process in Summer 2000. Revisions were made by Catelyn Cocuzzi in February 2021.

Sponsor

This finding aid has been encoded as a part of the Historic Pittsburgh project a joint effort of the University of Pittsburgh and the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Funding for this portion of the project has been donated by the Hillman Foundation.

Publisher

Heinz History Center

Address

1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

Biography of Selwyn Raymond Rackoff (1922-1966)

S.R. Rackoff (1922-1996) was born in Connellsville, Pa., the son of Russian immigrants. He graduated from New Kensington High School in 1940 and from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 1943. After graduation, he became a commissioned officer in the United States Navy and served in combat during World War II. After spending a year teaching at the United States Naval Academy, he was honorably discharged in 1947, as a Lieutenant.

In 1947, Rackoff joined American Shearing Knife Company (now known as ASKO, Inc.) where he spent the rest of his career. He became president of the company in 1962, serving in that position until he became chairman of the company in 1981. ASKO, Inc., which has a global market, manufactures custom-engineered tooling for the metalworking industry. ASKO, Inc., is located in Homestead, Pa.

Rackoff married Barbara Weinberg Rackoff (1925-2015). They had two sons, William Rackoff and John Rackoff, and four grandchildren. Barbara Weinberg's father, Ben Weinberg, emigrated from Hungary to Duquesne, Pa in 1905. He was a co-founder of the American Shearing Knife Company.

S. R. Rackoff was involved in Republican politics, various civic activities, and organizations throughout the Jewish community. He met Presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, and Pennsylvania Senators Arlen Spector and H. John Heinz III.

Scope and Content Notes

Materials relate primarily to S.R. Rackoff and his extended family. Items documenting ASKO, Inc. include its articles of incorporation, some materials documenting employment and labor issues at the company, records documenting building construction in the Netherlands, travel records, and a copy of an agreement between Zenith Steel Pipes, Ltd, India, and ASKO.

Family records include documents such as birth, marriage, and naturalization papers (some copies) for members of the extended family, as well as some genealogical records for the Rackoff, Weinberg, and Silverman families. Items of note include four books used by Benjamin Weinberg during his training and early career as an engineer: Carnegie Steel Co. yearbook (1903), "The Railroad Spiral," by William H. Searles (1909), "Field and Office Tables," by C. Frank Allen (1911), and "Handbook for Highway Engineers" (1912). Clippings and records of family events and achievements are included. Some correspondence and documents related to the estate of B.B. Weinberg, father of Barbara Weinberg Rackoff and founder of American Shear Knife, are included. The personal files include biographies of S.R. Rackoff, correspondence, materials related to his years in the U. S. Navy, and educational documents. Papers document personal milestones, such as significant birthdays and anniversaries. Rackoff's death is documented by obituaries and eulogies, records of condolence letters and donations, and correspondence.

Photographs include Rackoff in school, at his wedding, with members of his family and with Senator John Heinz II, and President Gerald Ford, President Ronald Reagan, and President George H. W. Bush. Also included are photographs of Rackoff's military service beginning with ROTC at the University of Pennsylvania.

Arrangement

The S.R. Rackoff Papers and Photographs are housed in 2 boxes and 1 oversize folder. The collection is arranged into two series and further arranged into subseries:

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of William Rackoff in 2000 and 2020. Archives accession 2000.0010, 2000.0121, and 2020.0102

Preferred Citation

S.R. Rackoff Papers and Photographs, 1903-1996, MSS 312, Rauh Jewish Archives, Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by S. Melnick in May 2000.

Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Anna Maria Mihalega on August 8, 2000.

Additions and revisions incorporated by Catelyn Cocuzzi on February 1, 2021.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or publish, please contact the curator of the Archives.

Separated Materials

To the library: "The cutting edge : a history of ASKO in the twentieth century" by Kathleen M. Sewalk, HD9703 .U54 A447 1999 q

Container List