Justin Whitlock Dart Sr.
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Justin Whitlock Dart Sr. | |
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| Born | August 17, 1907 |
| Died | January 26, 1984(aged 76) |
| Alma mater | Northwestern University |
| Occupation(s) | President (Dart Industries) Director of Store Operations (Walgreens) |
| Employer(s) | Dart Industries (1941–1980) Walgreens(1930–1940) |
| Known for | Drug store magnate |
| Spouse(s) | Jane O'Brien Dart(m. 1940–1984) Ruth Walgreen Dart Stephan (m. 1929–1939) |
| Children | 5, includingJustin Whitlock Dart Jr. |
| Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom |
Justin Whitlock Dart Sr.(August 17, 1907 – January 26, 1984[1]) was an American businessman, considered the "boy wonder" of thedrug storeindustry. In college Dart had played football forNorthwestern University.
Biography
[edit]He was born on August 17, 1907. After marrying Ruth Walgreen, Dart became an executive with his father-in-law's (Charles Walgreen) company, theWalgreensDrugstore chain.[2]At Walgreens, he introduced the concept of placing the pharmacy counter at the back of the drug store, which not only provided privacy for medical concerns, but forced patrons to walk past many items for possible purchase.
Dart divorced his first wife, Ruth Walgreen, and left the Walgreen company shortly after. In 1943, Dart took control of theBoston-based United Drug Company. The chain operated under the Liggett, Owl, Sonta, andRexallbrands. Soon, Dart rebranded the stores under the Rexall name. After 35 years, Dart sold his stake in Rexall in 1978. Not long afterwards, he said "I would like my retirement and death to be simultaneous." During these years, Dart had acquired stakes inAvon,West Bend Housewares,Duracell,Ralph Wilson Plastics, Archer Glass andHobart,which were collectively known as Dart Industries.
In 1980, Dart sold his company toKraft Industries.Although Dart Industries never ownedAvon,it was the former parent company toTupperware Home Parties.Dart Industries merged withKraft Foods.[2]
Death
[edit]Dart died fromcongestive heart failurein 1984, aged 76.
Presidential Medal of Freedom
[edit]Dart received thePresidential Medal of Freedomposthumously in 1987.[3]
Family
[edit]Dart and his second wife, former actressJane Bryan(1918–2009), were married onNew Year's Evein 1939, and remained married until his death in 1984. The couple had three children.[4]Dart and Bryan were staunch Republicans and helped convince their close friend, former California GovernorRonald Reagan,to run for the presidency of the United States in 1980.[5]
His son by his first marriage,Justin Whitlock Dart Jr.was an advocate for the disabled. In 1989, Dart Jr. was appointed by PresidentGeorge H. W. Bushto the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. Dart Jr. also helped pass theAmericans with Disabilities Actof 1990; he died in 2002 of complications related to polio.[6]
References
[edit]- ^New York Times, 27 January 1984,retrieved 24 March 2024
- ^abtime.com, Milestones: 6 February 1984
- ^"Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1981-1989"Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & MuseumRetrieved on 2018-03-13
- ^imdb.com:Jane Bryan Biography,retrieved 24 March 2024
- ^Los Angeles Times 10 December 1987:Dart’s Defiance: Taking on the Bureaucracy, Justin Dart Jr. Lost a Job but Gained a Following,Retrieved on 24 March 2024
- ^https://www.justindart.com/biographyretrieved on 24 March 2024
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