Chuck Wright (politician)

Chuck Wright
Mayor of Topeka, Kansas
In office
1965–1969
Preceded byHal Gerlach
Succeeded byGene C. Martin
Topeka Street Commissioner
In office
1961–1965
Preceded byBill Mallory
Succeeded by?
Personal details
Born
Charles Wesley Wright, Jr.

(1919-08-17)August 17, 1919
Topeka, Kansas
DiedDecember 27, 2016(2016-12-27) (aged 97)
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAlice Clare Wright (1944–2008; her death)
ChildrenCharles Wright III
Douglas S. Wright
Catherine Howard

Charles Wesley Wright, Jr. (August 17, 1919 – December 27, 2016) was an American politician, former advertising executive, publisher, and Christmas tree farmer who served as the mayor of Topeka, Kansas, from 1965 until 1969.[1] Wright was mayor on June 8, 1966, when an F5 tornado devastated Topeka, killing 16 people, left 4,500 residents homeless, and caused an estimated $100 million in property damage.[2] He led the cleanup and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the tornado to rebuild the city and Washburn University.[1]

Wright's son, Doug Wright, also served as Mayor of Topeka from 1983 to 1989.[2]

  1. ^ a b Hall, Mike (2016-12-27). "Chuck Wright, Topeka mayor during the 1966 tornado, dies at age 97". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 2017-01-14.
  2. ^ a b Deines, Angela (2016-12-27). "After 1966 Topeka tornado, Chuck Wright was called a 'man in charge'". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 2017-01-14.