News of Todd Bachman’s death was a devastating way to start the Olympic games. It was even more devastating for family and members of the green industry in which he was so involved.
Todd, 62, was CEO of Bachman’s, a Minneapolis-based company that operates floral and garden centers and landscaping divisions. The father of a former Olympic volleyball player (Elisabeth Bachman McCutcheon, wife of current U.S. men’s Olympic volleyball coach, Hugh McCutcheon), he was in Beijing for the games with this wife, Barbara, when both were stabbed Saturday in a random act of violence. He died and Barbara was injured.
“All of us who have had the privilege of knowing Todd Bachman are devastated by his loss,” said Bob Fitch, executive director of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, in a letter to members. “Todd was a caring and generous person.”
Todd was instrumental in establishing the non-profit MNLA Foundation, which works to improve the outdoor living environment by investing in research and education, Fitch added.
He had leadership positions in several other organizations including the Society of American Florists, the Minnesota Commercial Flower Growers Association, the North Central Florists Association and the Widmer Research & Education Fund.
Each Bachman’s store will display a memorial in honor of Todd this week. No other memorial information has been discussed at this time: the family is focused on Barbara’s recovery.