Walt Bachrach

Bachrach was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 22, 1904, the only child of businessman and first-generation American Fisher Bachrach and his wife Rose (née Silverglade). After Fisher and Rose married, they opened the Wheel Cafe in 1903, a restaurant that became a Cincinnati landmark for nearly a century. After finishing high school, he attended Washington and Lee University before transferring to and graduating from University of Cincinnati's pre-law program in 1929. He then worked in the county prosecutor's office under Lou Schneider for 2 years, followed by 2 years working with Elmer Hunsiker as a chief deputy clerk. and did a lot of business with Cincinnati Reds fans after each game. His mother died on May 19, 1986, at age 103 at Cincinnati's Jewish Hospital. ==Politics==

In 1929, Bachrach became a Republican precinct executive, which he acknowledged as the start of his political career. In 1953, he was selected as a Republican nominee alongside Bruce McClure and William Cody Kelly to fill three vacant seats on the City Council. He became the GOP floor leader and later served as Donald D. Clancy's vice mayor between 1956 and 1961. In 1961, Clancy stepped down to serve on the US House of Representatives and Bachrach succeeded him as mayor. He was the 42nd mayor of Cincinnati and the 4th Jew to hold the position. He mainly stayed out of the riot conversations, but did urge protestors to be good citizens and obey the law. After two days of fires and looting, Bachrach asked Governor Jim Rhodes to send the Ohio Army National Guard to relieve and support the overwhelmed local police forces. He made the request based on suggestions from Police Chief Schott and Safety Director Henry Sandman. Bachrach did very little decision-making during his time in office and has been referred to as a ceremonial mayor by many, including by himself. the City Retirement System Board of Trustees, and the Police Relief and Pension Fund Board of Trustees. He was also the City Council's representative on the OKI transportation committee. He was succeeded as mayor by his vice mayor, Eugene P. Ruehlmann. ==Personal life==

Bachrach and his wife Ida May married around 1930 and had two daughters, Margaret "Peggy" and Martha. and in 1935 was named the new "dictator" of Cincinnati Lodge No. 2. Bachrach died of a stroke at the Valley House Nursing Home in Tucson in 1989. ==References==