1950-1989
April 14, 1987 - The City Commission held their first meeting as the City Council. Here is a listing of mayors who served during the years 1950-1970: Earl K. Duke Floyd Throckmorton Amsden Frank Russell Jump Walter M. Keeler Claude M. DeVorss Hugh David Lester Alfred E. Howse Elzie E. Baird James L. Gardner Justus H. Fugate Levi Budd Rymph Herbert Piper Lindsley Carl A. Bell, Jr. Gerald F. Byrd Vincent L. Bogart William D. Tarrant John S. Stevens Clarence Eldert Vollmer William D. Andersen, Jr. Donald K. Enoch A. Price Woodard, Jr. Jack H. Greene Glenn J. "Jack" Shanahan James M. Donnell Garry L. Porter Connie Ames Peters Kennard Antonio F. "Tony" Casado Robert G. Knight Robert C. Brown Albert J. Kirk Margalee Wright Kathlien Robertson Edmiston Sheldon Kamen #54 - Earl K. Duke (1950-1951) Born: Feb 17, 1895Died: Apr 1981 (internment unknown) Occupation: president of Duke Printing Inc. Served as City Commissioner (1947-48, 1948-49, 1949-50) #55 - Floyd Throckmorton Amsden (1951-1952) Born: May 25, 1913Died: Nov 5, 1980 (interred at Old Mission Mausoleum) Occupation: president of Amsden Lumber Company founded by his grandfather in 1885 Served as City Commissioner (1949-50, 1950-51, 1952-53) #56 - Frank Russell Jump (1952-1953) Born: Mar 16, 1895Died: Apr 18, 2000 (interred at Greenlawn Cemetery) Occupation: founded Arotext Co. (uniform manufacturing business) After Frank's tour of duty with the Army Air Corps as a pilot and flight instructor, he and his wife established a uniform manufacturing business, Arotex Co., in Wichita. As mayor, he helped negotiate the sale of the city airport to the Air Force. Frank served as City Commissioner (1949-50, 1950-51, 1951-52). He died at the age of 105 - one of the longest living people who took public office. #57 - Walter M. Keeler (1953-1954) Born: May 24, 1907Died: May 21, 1990 (internment unknown) Occupation: founded Walt Keeler Co. (concrete plant) Served as City Commissioner (1951-52, 1952-53, 1954-55, 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1970-71) #60 - Claude M. DeVorss (1955-1956) Born: September 3, 1914Died: January 13, 2009 (internment Greenwood Cemetery) Occupation: funeral director of DeVorss Mortuary (later DeVorss, Flanagan-Hunt Mortuary) As mayor, Claude was elected president of the World Congress of Mayors in Italy. He served as City Commissioner (1953-54, 1954-55, 1956-57) and served two terms on the Kansas League of Municipalities. Claude continued to serve on many boards and civic affairs throughout his life, including: Wichita Chamber of Commerce; Air Capital Active People Assoc; Downtown Lions Club; High Twelve International; Masonic Blue Lodge; Albert Pike Lodge; Bester G. Brown Lodge; Midian Shrine; Keystone High Twelve Lodge; Salvation Army; and Metropolitan Baptist Church. #61 - Hugh David Lester (1956 - resigned November 13, 1956) Born: Feb 13, 1881Died: Feb 7, 1969 (interred at Old Mission Cemetery) Occupation: financier Served as City Commissioner (1953-54, 1954-55, 1956-57) #62 - Alfred E. Howse (1956-1957) Born: June 8, 1908Died: Nov 9, 1986 (interred at Maple Grove Cemetery) Occupation: unknown Alfred fought in the Army during WWII. He later served as City Commissioner (1955-56, 1956-57 - replaced H.D. Lester as mayor, 1957-58, 1958-59). He chaired the Kansas State Crime Commission and spearheaded efforts to build Cheney Reservoir. #63 - Elzie E. Baird (1957-1958) Born: Dec 17, 1889Died: Dec 13, 1975 (interred at Old Mission Cemetery) Occupation: vice-president and general manager for Jett & Wood wholesale grocery firm Served as City Commissioner (1955-56, 1956-57, 1958-59) #64 - James L. Gardner (1958-1959) Born: Aug 12, 1920Died: Dec 31, 1992 (internment unknown) Occupation: real estate appraiser Co-owner of the Commodore with brother-in-law Forrest Weirick. Served as City Commissioner (1955-56, 1956-57, 1957-58) #65 - Justus H. Fugate (1959-1960) Born: Jan 25, 1904Died: Oct 4, 1998 (interred at Old Mission Cemetery) Occupation: unknown Became involved in water resources after becoming mayor. Served as City Commissioner (1960-61, 1961-62, 1962-63) #66 - Levi Budd Rymph (1960-1961) Born: June 10, 1901Died: Dec 8, 1987 (interred at Harper Cemetery) Occupation: insurance salesman Served as City Commissioner (1959-60, 1961-62, 1962-63). Wife Jessie was named Kansas Mother of the Year during his mayoral term. #67 - Herbert Piper Lindsley (1961-1962) Born: Dec 16, 1913Died: Nov 9, 1991 (interred at Old Mission Mausoleum) Occupation: insurance executive Father founded Farmers & Bankers Life Insurance Company. Served as City Commissioner (1959-60, 1960-61, 1962-63). #68 - Carl A. Bell, Jr. (1962-1963) Born: Oct 31, 1922Died: Feb 15, 2009 (internment unknown) Occupation: attorney Father founded Carl Bell Markets and Carl Bell Wholesale Meat Company. Served as City Commissioner (1961-62, 1963-64, 1964-65). Led efforts in getting Century II Convention Center built and Convention Hall is named after him. Served 7 years on the Wichita Board of Education. #69 - Gerald F. Byrd (1963-1964) Born: Apr 30, 1917Died: Dec 3, 1993 (interred at White Chapel Memorial Gardens) Occupation: unknown Father founded Byrd-Snodgrass Mortuary. Served as City Commissioner (1961-62, 1962-63, 1964-65). #70 - Vincent L. Bogart (1964-1965) Born: unknownDied: still living Occupation: attorney Served as City Commissioner (1963-64, 1965-66, 1966-67). B.S. from Kansas State University in 1953. LL.B. from Washburn University in 1955. Admitted to practice in Kansas in 1955. Member of the Wichita, Kansas and American Bar Association, the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Areas of concentration: workers compensation, personal injury, wills, trusts, probate. #71 - William D. Tarrant (1965-1966) Born: unknownDied: still living Occupation: unknown Served as City Commissioner (1963-64, 1964-65, 1966-67). #72 - John S. Stevens (1966-1967) Born: Dec 15, 1912Died: Aug 14, 1976 (interred at Resthaven Gardens of Memory) Served as City Commissioner (1957-58, 1958-59, 1959-60, 1960-61, 1963-64, 1964-65, 1965-66, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1971-72, 1972-73, 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76 - died while serving 1976-77 term and was replaced by Robert I. Cory). Veterans Memorial Park has a memorial dedicated to him. #73 - Clarence Eldert Vollmer (1967-1968) Born: Oct 11, 1897Died: March 1983 (interred at Old Mission Mausoleum) Occupation: owner of Vollmer Construction Was responsible for building the Metropolitan Baptist Church and schools such as Southeast High. Served as City Commissioner (1965-66, 1966-67, 1968-69). #74 - William D. Anderson, Jr. (1968-1969) Born: July 8, 1927Died: June 2, 2011 (internment unknown) Occupation: owner of Anderson Printing Company Served as City Commissioner (1965-66, 1966-67, 1969-70). Later served on the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals and was Sedgwick County purchasing manager for 16 years before retiring in 1993. #75 - Donald K. Enoch (1969-1970) Born: June 22, 1916Died: still living Occupation: owner of Wichita Brush and Chemical Company Served as City Commissioner (1967-68, 1968-69, 1970-71). #76 - A. Price Woodard, Jr. (1970-1971) Born: Jan 26, 1919Died: Jan 13, 1972 (interred at Highland Cemetery) Occupation: attorney Wichita's first black Mayor and black City Commissioner. Served as City Commissioner (1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70). A. Price Woodard Park is named after him. #77 - Jack H. Greene (1971-1972) Born: unknownDied: still living Occupation: attorney Served as City Commissioner (1969-70, 1970-71, 1972-73). #78 - Glenn J. "Jack" Shanahan (1972-1973) Born: unknownDied: still living Occupation: unknown Served as City Commissioner (1971-72, 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1977-78, 1978-79). #79 & #82 - James M. Donnell (1973-1974, 1976-1977) Born: unknownDied: still living Occupation: unknown Son of Mayor L.A. Donnell. Served as City Commissioner (1971-72, 1972-73, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1977-78, 1978-79). #80 - Garry L. Porter (1974-1975) Born: unknownDied: still living Occupation: psychiatrist Served as City Commissioner (1971-72, 72-73, 1973-74, 1977-78, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1980-81). #81 & #84 - Connie Ames Peters Kennard (1975-1976, 1978-1979) Born: unknownDied: still living Occupation: unknown Wichita's first female Mayor and City Commissioner. Served as City Commissioner (1973-74, 1974-75, 1976-77, 1977-78, 1979-80, 1980-81). #83, #85 & #93 - Antonio F. "Tony" Casado (1977-1978, 1979-1980, 1986-1987) Born: Oct 10, 1913Died: May 11, 1996 (internment unknown) Occupation: realtor First Hispanic Mayor. Born in Puerto Padre, Oriente Province, Cuba and came to Wichita at the age of 12. Served in House of Representatives - District 65 (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964). Served in State Senate - District 24 (1965, 1966, 1967, 1968). Served in State Senate - District 19 (1969, 1970). Appointed to be deputy mission director for the US Agency of International Development in Paraquay in 1970. Served as City Commissioner (1975-76, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1980-81, 1981-82, 1982-83 - resigned May 18, 1982 and replaced by R.D. Martens, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1985-86). Casado Campus Center at Friends University named after him. #86, #90, #94, #96 & #99 - Robert G. Knight (1980-1981; 1984-1985 - resigned May 2, 1985; 1987-1988, 1989-1992 - resigned September 29, 1992; 1995-2003) Born: unknownDied: still living Occupation: unknown Was the first elected Mayor by a popular vote. Has served more terms than any Wichita mayor. Served as City Commissioner (1979-80, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-86). Served as City Council Member (1986-87, 1988-89). Resigned as Mayor Sept 29, 2003, to take position of Kansas State Secretary of Commerce. #87 & #92 - Robert C. Brown (1981-1982, 1985-1986) Born: Oct 27, 1920Died: Mar 8, 1993 (interred at Old Mission Mortuary) Occupation: White Truck Sales owner Served as City Commissioner (1979-80, 1980-81, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1984-85). Served as City Council Member (1986-87). Century II Convention Center's Bob Brown Expo Hall is named after him. #88 - Albert J. Kirk (1982-1983) Born: 1944Died: still living Occupation: attorney Served as City Commissioner (1981-82, 1983-84, 1984-85). #89 - Margalee Wright (1983-1984) Born: unknownDied: still living Occupation: unknown Served as City Commissioner (1981-82, 1982-83, 1984-85). Resigned as City Commissioner Jan 15, 1985 to serve on the Kansas Corporation Commission until 1991. Honored in WSU's Plaza of Heroines. #91 - Kathlien Robertson Edmiston (1985) Born: Dec 20, 1911Died: July 13, 1998 (internment unknown) Occupation: unknown Became City Commissioner Dec 12, 1985 when Margalee Wright resigned. Became Mayor April 9, 1985 to complete Robert G. Knight's unfinished term. Served on the Wichita University Board of Regents. Served on the WSU Board of Trustees. Honored in WSU's Plaza of Heroines. #95 - Sheldon Kamen (1988-1989) Born: unknownDied: still living Occupation: president and CEO of Kamen, Inc. Served as Wichita BOE Member (1979-85). Served as Wichita BOE President (1981-82). Served as City Commissioner (1985-86). Served as City Council Member (1986-87, 1987-88). Served as City Council Member - District II (1989-90, 1991-1992, 1993-95, 1995-97). Served as Vice Mayor (1995-1996). Back to Top
April 14, 1987 - The City Commission held their first meeting as the City Council.
Here is a listing of mayors who served during the years 1950-1970:
Born: Feb 17, 1895Died: Apr 1981 (internment unknown)
Occupation: president of Duke Printing Inc.
Served as City Commissioner (1947-48, 1948-49, 1949-50)
Born: May 25, 1913Died: Nov 5, 1980 (interred at Old Mission Mausoleum)
Occupation: president of Amsden Lumber Company founded by his grandfather in 1885
Served as City Commissioner (1949-50, 1950-51, 1952-53)
Born: Mar 16, 1895Died: Apr 18, 2000 (interred at Greenlawn Cemetery)
Occupation: founded Arotext Co. (uniform manufacturing business)
After Frank's tour of duty with the Army Air Corps as a pilot and flight instructor, he and his wife established a uniform manufacturing business, Arotex Co., in Wichita. As mayor, he helped negotiate the sale of the city airport to the Air Force. Frank served as City Commissioner (1949-50, 1950-51, 1951-52). He died at the age of 105 - one of the longest living people who took public office.
Born: May 24, 1907Died: May 21, 1990 (internment unknown)
Occupation: founded Walt Keeler Co. (concrete plant)
Served as City Commissioner (1951-52, 1952-53, 1954-55, 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1970-71)
Born: September 3, 1914Died: January 13, 2009 (internment Greenwood Cemetery)
Occupation: funeral director of DeVorss Mortuary (later DeVorss, Flanagan-Hunt Mortuary)
As mayor, Claude was elected president of the World Congress of Mayors in Italy. He served as City Commissioner (1953-54, 1954-55, 1956-57) and served two terms on the Kansas League of Municipalities. Claude continued to serve on many boards and civic affairs throughout his life, including: Wichita Chamber of Commerce; Air Capital Active People Assoc; Downtown Lions Club; High Twelve International; Masonic Blue Lodge; Albert Pike Lodge; Bester G. Brown Lodge; Midian Shrine; Keystone High Twelve Lodge; Salvation Army; and Metropolitan Baptist Church.
Born: Feb 13, 1881Died: Feb 7, 1969 (interred at Old Mission Cemetery)
Occupation: financier
Served as City Commissioner (1953-54, 1954-55, 1956-57)
Born: June 8, 1908Died: Nov 9, 1986 (interred at Maple Grove Cemetery)
Occupation: unknown
Alfred fought in the Army during WWII. He later served as City Commissioner (1955-56, 1956-57 - replaced H.D. Lester as mayor, 1957-58, 1958-59). He chaired the Kansas State Crime Commission and spearheaded efforts to build Cheney Reservoir.
Born: Dec 17, 1889Died: Dec 13, 1975 (interred at Old Mission Cemetery)
Occupation: vice-president and general manager for Jett & Wood wholesale grocery firm
Served as City Commissioner (1955-56, 1956-57, 1958-59)
Born: Aug 12, 1920Died: Dec 31, 1992 (internment unknown)
Occupation: real estate appraiser
Co-owner of the Commodore with brother-in-law Forrest Weirick. Served as City Commissioner (1955-56, 1956-57, 1957-58)
Born: Jan 25, 1904Died: Oct 4, 1998 (interred at Old Mission Cemetery)
Became involved in water resources after becoming mayor. Served as City Commissioner (1960-61, 1961-62, 1962-63)
Born: June 10, 1901Died: Dec 8, 1987 (interred at Harper Cemetery)
Occupation: insurance salesman
Served as City Commissioner (1959-60, 1961-62, 1962-63). Wife Jessie was named Kansas Mother of the Year during his mayoral term.
Born: Dec 16, 1913Died: Nov 9, 1991 (interred at Old Mission Mausoleum)
Occupation: insurance executive
Father founded Farmers & Bankers Life Insurance Company. Served as City Commissioner (1959-60, 1960-61, 1962-63).
Born: Oct 31, 1922Died: Feb 15, 2009 (internment unknown)
Occupation: attorney
Father founded Carl Bell Markets and Carl Bell Wholesale Meat Company. Served as City Commissioner (1961-62, 1963-64, 1964-65). Led efforts in getting Century II Convention Center built and Convention Hall is named after him. Served 7 years on the Wichita Board of Education.
Born: Apr 30, 1917Died: Dec 3, 1993 (interred at White Chapel Memorial Gardens)
Father founded Byrd-Snodgrass Mortuary. Served as City Commissioner (1961-62, 1962-63, 1964-65).
Born: unknownDied: still living
Served as City Commissioner (1963-64, 1965-66, 1966-67). B.S. from Kansas State University in 1953. LL.B. from Washburn University in 1955. Admitted to practice in Kansas in 1955. Member of the Wichita, Kansas and American Bar Association, the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Areas of concentration: workers compensation, personal injury, wills, trusts, probate.
Served as City Commissioner (1963-64, 1964-65, 1966-67).
Born: Dec 15, 1912Died: Aug 14, 1976 (interred at Resthaven Gardens of Memory)
Served as City Commissioner (1957-58, 1958-59, 1959-60, 1960-61, 1963-64, 1964-65, 1965-66, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1971-72, 1972-73, 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76 - died while serving 1976-77 term and was replaced by Robert I. Cory). Veterans Memorial Park has a memorial dedicated to him.
Born: Oct 11, 1897Died: March 1983 (interred at Old Mission Mausoleum)
Occupation: owner of Vollmer Construction
Was responsible for building the Metropolitan Baptist Church and schools such as Southeast High. Served as City Commissioner (1965-66, 1966-67, 1968-69).
Born: July 8, 1927Died: June 2, 2011 (internment unknown)
Occupation: owner of Anderson Printing Company
Served as City Commissioner (1965-66, 1966-67, 1969-70). Later served on the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals and was Sedgwick County purchasing manager for 16 years before retiring in 1993.
Born: June 22, 1916Died: still living
Occupation: owner of Wichita Brush and Chemical Company
Served as City Commissioner (1967-68, 1968-69, 1970-71).
Born: Jan 26, 1919Died: Jan 13, 1972 (interred at Highland Cemetery)
Wichita's first black Mayor and black City Commissioner. Served as City Commissioner (1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70). A. Price Woodard Park is named after him.
Served as City Commissioner (1969-70, 1970-71, 1972-73).
Served as City Commissioner (1971-72, 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1977-78, 1978-79).
Son of Mayor L.A. Donnell. Served as City Commissioner (1971-72, 1972-73, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1977-78, 1978-79).
Occupation: psychiatrist
Served as City Commissioner (1971-72, 72-73, 1973-74, 1977-78, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1980-81).
Wichita's first female Mayor and City Commissioner. Served as City Commissioner (1973-74, 1974-75, 1976-77, 1977-78, 1979-80, 1980-81).
Born: Oct 10, 1913Died: May 11, 1996 (internment unknown)
Occupation: realtor
First Hispanic Mayor. Born in Puerto Padre, Oriente Province, Cuba and came to Wichita at the age of 12. Served in House of Representatives - District 65 (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964). Served in State Senate - District 24 (1965, 1966, 1967, 1968). Served in State Senate - District 19 (1969, 1970). Appointed to be deputy mission director for the US Agency of International Development in Paraquay in 1970. Served as City Commissioner (1975-76, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1980-81, 1981-82, 1982-83 - resigned May 18, 1982 and replaced by R.D. Martens, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1985-86). Casado Campus Center at Friends University named after him.
Was the first elected Mayor by a popular vote. Has served more terms than any Wichita mayor. Served as City Commissioner (1979-80, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-86). Served as City Council Member (1986-87, 1988-89). Resigned as Mayor Sept 29, 2003, to take position of Kansas State Secretary of Commerce.
Born: Oct 27, 1920Died: Mar 8, 1993 (interred at Old Mission Mortuary)
Occupation: White Truck Sales owner
Served as City Commissioner (1979-80, 1980-81, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1984-85). Served as City Council Member (1986-87). Century II Convention Center's Bob Brown Expo Hall is named after him.
Born: 1944Died: still living
Served as City Commissioner (1981-82, 1983-84, 1984-85).
Served as City Commissioner (1981-82, 1982-83, 1984-85). Resigned as City Commissioner Jan 15, 1985 to serve on the Kansas Corporation Commission until 1991. Honored in WSU's Plaza of Heroines.
Born: Dec 20, 1911Died: July 13, 1998 (internment unknown)
Became City Commissioner Dec 12, 1985 when Margalee Wright resigned. Became Mayor April 9, 1985 to complete Robert G. Knight's unfinished term. Served on the Wichita University Board of Regents. Served on the WSU Board of Trustees. Honored in WSU's Plaza of Heroines.
Occupation: president and CEO of Kamen, Inc.
Served as Wichita BOE Member (1979-85). Served as Wichita BOE President (1981-82). Served as City Commissioner (1985-86). Served as City Council Member (1986-87, 1987-88). Served as City Council Member - District II (1989-90, 1991-1992, 1993-95, 1995-97). Served as Vice Mayor (1995-1996).
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Carl BrewerCity Hall, 1st FloorMS 1-135455 N. MainWichita, KS 67202
: (316) 268-4331 : (316) 858-7743CBrewer@wichita.gov
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