Dexter Balterman 1913-2004
	Stuart History Dexter Balterman Stuart Sets Stuart Colors Stuart Accessories Cereal Premium Anchor Connection Emails From You Cleaning Stuarts Collections Knockoffs Unusual Stuarts Lizabeths Page Trade Page Links Home	Dexter Balterman, left, and Stuart sales representative present a science set and the western toy line at a New York Toy Fair. Dexter Balterman, born in Chicago, Illinois, was a scientist. He helped with the war effort by making penicillin for the Schenley Company. He purchased the Stuart Manufacturing Company in 1953, after marrying and moving to Cincinnati. The company would help him support a family. Mr. Balterman made use of his science background to introduce science and chemistry sets to Stuart's line of toys. Highly popular in the 1950s and 60s were the Stuart western playset figures and horses. It became increasingly difficult for a small toy company to compete with larger companies like Kenner and Mattel. The company shifted its production to packaging by the late 1960s. Dexter Balterman wanted to retire early. He sold the Stuart Company to an associate in 1969. Within two weeks Mr. Balterman returned to his first love - science, volunteering at the Gamble Institute for Clinical Research in Cinncinnati. He worked at the institute 5 mornings a week for the next 20 years. Dexter Balterman then maintained a connection with colleagues at the institute, who held him in high esteem, until his passing at age 90, March 17, 2003. Mr. Balterman was married for 59 years to his wife, Alice Heyn Balterman, a well-known Cincinnati artist. He is also survived by three children - Andrew, Marie and Megan Balterman. He will be also be highly missed by all who loved Stuart toys.