Background
Enoch was born on June 22, 1916, in Neosho, Missouri.
Enoch was born on June 22, 1916, in Neosho, Missouri.
Enoch graduated from Wichita North High School.
Enoch also served as Wichita"s City Commissioner for three separate terms: (1967–1968, 1968–1969, 1970–1971). He is credited as one of the key people who established the Wichita River Festival. He moved to Wichita with his family when he was an elementary school student.
He received a bachelor"s degree in music from the University of Wichita (now called Wichita State University), graduating magna cum laude.
Enoch began his career as a band director at Atwood High School during the late 1930s. Enoch left his teaching position to enlist in the United States Army Air Corps at the beginning of World World War World War II He worked as an aircraft instructor and test pilot in the Air Corps during the war.
He left the Army Air Corporation following the end of World World War World War II Enoch moved back to Wichita and acquired the Wichita Brush Company, his family"s business. The company, which would later be renamed the Wichita Brush and Chemical Company, became a maintenance and cleaning supply business under Enoch.
By the 1960s, Enoch had all of his company"s chemicals into biodegradable products, including the cleaning solutions, soaps and waxes.
Politics
Enoch was first elected to the Wichita City Commission in 1967. Enoch soon developed an idea to hold a parade and festival along the city"s Arkansas River waterfront to celebrate Wichita"s centennial. Enoch, who became Wichita"s 61st mayor in 1969, oversaw the Centennial of Progress Pageant, which evolved into the annual Wichita River Festival.
Enoch envisioned the Wichita River Festival as a vehicle for potential urban renewal and economic growth for the city.
Don Enoch died on June 24, 2010, two days after his 94th birthday.