Co-founder of Monogram Models dead at 89.
Thursday October 21, 2004
CHICAGO (AP) Jack M. Besser, co-founder of Monogram Models Inc., a model hobby firm that became one of the largest in the United States, has died.
Besser died Tuesday of lymphoma at a Lake Forest hospice. He was 89.
Besser joined the Army during World War II, serving with the military police as an inspector. After his discharge, he became sales manager at Comet, a Chicago toy modeling company. He later pooled his savings with Robert Reder, a company designer, to found Monogram Models.
The first model line three different ships was created in the basement of Reder's home. In ensuing years, the business' growth required several moves to ever larger locales. By 1961, the company needed more space to handle a model line that included dozens of different cars, airplanes and ships.
``He bought 10 acres in Morton Grove and built a factory and moved the company there,'' said his son, Clifford.
Mattel bought the company in 1968, but Besser remained its president until 1975. Mattell later sold Monogram Models to a banking firm that bought Revell and blended the two companies. Revell-Monogram now belongs to private investors, The Revell Group.
Besides his son and wife, Myrtle, Besser is survived by two daughters, grandchildren and a nephew.
Thursday October 21, 2004
CHICAGO (AP) Jack M. Besser, co-founder of Monogram Models Inc., a model hobby firm that became one of the largest in the United States, has died.
Besser died Tuesday of lymphoma at a Lake Forest hospice. He was 89.
Besser joined the Army during World War II, serving with the military police as an inspector. After his discharge, he became sales manager at Comet, a Chicago toy modeling company. He later pooled his savings with Robert Reder, a company designer, to found Monogram Models.
The first model line three different ships was created in the basement of Reder's home. In ensuing years, the business' growth required several moves to ever larger locales. By 1961, the company needed more space to handle a model line that included dozens of different cars, airplanes and ships.
``He bought 10 acres in Morton Grove and built a factory and moved the company there,'' said his son, Clifford.
Mattel bought the company in 1968, but Besser remained its president until 1975. Mattell later sold Monogram Models to a banking firm that bought Revell and blended the two companies. Revell-Monogram now belongs to private investors, The Revell Group.
Besides his son and wife, Myrtle, Besser is survived by two daughters, grandchildren and a nephew.