Thom Smith, 63, died on June 3, 2019, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Thom earned a Bachelor of Science with honors in chemistry from the University of Waterloo, Canada, and had a successful career. Thom’s activities in the lubricant industry spanned over forty years, including roles with Shell, Gulf Canada (now Petro-Canada), Ultramar and Lubrizol. He moved to Lexington, Kentucky, in 1997, when he began his career with Ashland Oil, now Valvoline. He was vice president of branded lubricant technology at Valvoline.
Josh Frederick and Fran Lockwood, both of Valvoline, said that Thom was one of the most affable, optimistic, humble and fair gentlemen they had ever known. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed.
Angela Willis, who followed Thom as chair of the ASTM Passenger Car Engine Oil Classification Panel, commented that Thom brought humanism to the role. He always incorporated ways to help lighten the mood with his trivia tidbits, while still orchestrating a very professional, well-facilitated meeting.
The industry knew him as a vigorous participant in American Petroleum Institute and ASTM International forums, who could always be counted on to be at once outspoken, open-minded and fair. In addition to his 13-year leadership of PCEOCP, Thom served as chair of the API Category Life Oversight Group, where he inspired many others to assume active roles within various API and ASTM forums. My thoughts were that Thom could always keep the discussions objective and civil.
Angela probably summed it up best, saying, “I will miss his warm and welcoming personality.
–Steve Swedberg