Died: June 7, 1990 - Fairfax City, Virginia

Interred: unknown

Mr. Frank H. Backstrom took the reins of city manager March 12, 1956. Prior to becoming city manager of Wichita, he had served as Tacoma, Washington's first city manager since 1953.

As Wichita city manager, he earned a salary of $20,500. When he resigned to assume the city manager position in Toledo, Ohio, his salary went up to $25,000.

He would remain city manager of Toledo until his retirement in 1970 and served several years as executive director of the Masonic Auditorium in Toledo.

Other Interesting Facts

In 1904, The Backstrom family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he spent the rest of his childhood.

Mr. Backstrom graduated from University of Michigan with a literary degree (1924) and law degree (1926). He was admitted to the Missouri Bar and became a member of the law firm of Swearinger, Olsen, and Backstrom in Kansas City.

Mr. Backstrom entered politics when he resided in Kansas City.  He failed in his bid for the Republican candidate seat for the 9th District Missouri General Assembly seat (1932). Later he won the Kansas City 4th District Councilman race (1934) and served on the Kansas City Council until 1951 when he chose not to run again.

Mr. Backstrom became Assistant City Manager of Kansas City in 1952.

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