Don Enoch
| Don Enoch | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Wichita, Kansas | |
|
In office 1969–1970 | |
| Preceded by | William D. Anderson, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | A. Price Woodard, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
June 22, 1916 Neosho, Missouri |
| Died | June 24, 2010 (aged 94) |
| Spouse(s) | Margery Trively |
| Residence | Wichita, Kansas |
| Profession | Businessman, politician |
Donald Kirk Enoch (June 22, 1916 – June 24, 2010) was an American politician who served as the Mayor of Wichita, Kansas, from 1969 until 1970.[1] Enoch also served as Wichita's City Commissioner for three separate terms: (1967–1968, 1968–1969, 1970–1971).[2] He is credited as one of the key people who established the Wichita River Festival.[1]
Biography
Early life
Enoch was born on June 22, 1916, in Neosho, Missouri.[1] He moved to Wichita with his family when he was an elementary school student.[1] Enoch graduated from Wichita North High School.[1] He received a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Wichita (now called Wichita State University), graduating magna cum laude.[1]
Enoch began his career as a band director at Atwood High School during the late 1930s.[1] The school's band won Kansas and national awards.[1] Enoch left his teaching position to enlist in the United States Army Air Corps at the beginning of World War II.[1] He worked as an aircraft instructor and test pilot in the Air Corps during the war.[1]
He left the Army Air Corp following the end of World War II. Enoch moved back to Wichita and acquired the Wichita Brush Company, his family's business.[1] The company, which would later be renamed the Wichita Brush and Chemical Company, became a maintenance and cleaning supply business under Enoch.[1] By the 1960s, Enoch had all of his company's chemicals into biodegradable products, including the cleaning solutions, soaps and waxes.[1]
Politics
Enoch was first elected to the Wichita City Commission in 1967.[1] Enoch soon developed an idea to hold a parade and festival along the city's Arkansas River waterfront to celebrate Wichita's centennial.[1] Enoch, who became Wichita's 61st mayor in 1969, oversaw the Centennial of Progress Pageant, which evolved into the annual Wichita River Festival.[1] Enoch envisioned the Wichita River Festival as a vehicle for potential urban renewal and economic growth for the city.[1]
Don Enoch died on June 24, 2010, two days after his 94th birthday. He was survived by his wife of 54 years, Margery Trively; three sons - Craig T. Enoch, a retired Texas Supreme Court justice, Dr. Rolland Enoch and Mark Enoch and one daughter - Dawn Moore; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.[1]