Braden Brook Altemus, a manufacturer's representative of household products and a high school sports enthusiast, died of complications from Alzheimer's disease April 3 at the Presbyterian Home of Maryland.

The Towson resident was 83.

Born in Johnstown, Pa., he enlisted in the Navy during World War II and was assigned to the University of Virginia, where he earned a naval science degree and played baseball and basketball.

He received a degree in 1946 and served aboard a destroyer, the USS Blue with the 19th Fleet Pacific Reserve. He was based at San Diego and sailed to Okinawa. He left active service in 1949 and remained in the Navy Reserve until 1959 as a lieutenant.

He earned a master's degree in business administration at the University of Pittsburgh and moved to Baltimore in 1953 as a housewares buyer at the former May Co. on Howard Street. In 1958, he joined a housewares manufacturer's representative firm and in 1963 became an owner of the business Andrews, Andrews and Altemus.

Relatives said he spent weekends demonstrating the Weber grill, one of the products he sold. He also handled the Mr. Coffee and Bissell vacuum lines.

In 1978 he became the president of the housewares wholesale firm Altemus, Rosdail and Associates in Linthicum. He retired in 1992.

"My father was a big fan of high school and college athletics," said his son, Tom Altemus of Towson. "He was a strong advocate for collegiate sports and knew the value of those experiences for young people."

Other survivors include his wife of 50 years, the former Anne Bacon; another son, Mark Altemus of Ruxton; two daughters, Anne Reed of Oella and Kathy Franz of Timonium; and four grandchildren. A Mass was offered Thursday at St. Pius X Church in Rodgers Forge,where he was a member.