George Arbocus: A man (and tribologist) with integrity

By Dr. Neil Canter and Tom O’Brien | TLT STLE History May 2026

A problem solver, he took a sincere interest in helping members with their careers.
The word “class” is often used haphazardly but is a most accurate description of the life and impact George Arbocus had on the tribology field. While diminutive in stature, he was a “giant” among individuals in influencing the steady progress those of us tribologists have made over the years in improving the quality and integrity of the products offered for the myriad of applications which rely on them.

Even with stating the influence George had on us as tribologists, his personal way of doing things had a deeper impact on the way we, as tribology professionals, conducted ourselves. We are proud to say that George was a “mentor” for all of us who knew him, particularly in how he directed the growth of the STLE Philadelphia Section. 

George Arbocus was born on June 17, 1928, and started his career while in high school at EF Houghton in Philadelphia. His work at EF Houghton was interrupted by spending two years as a member of the U.S. Army stationed in Alaska (see photo) during the Korean War. George returned to EF Houghton and attended college at the same time, eventually graduating from La Salle University in Philadelphia. In 1962, George joined Keystone Lubricants (thereafter to be known as Elf Lubricants) and worked in R&D, technical service and marketing for this company for nearly 40 years. During his tenure, George was the chief engineer and manager of the company’s laboratory. 
 

George in the U.S. Army stationed in Alaska.

George was a proud and very active member of STLE and NLGI. He chaired the STLE Philadelphia Section in 1963 and 1979 and was active in helping to plan the STLE Annual Meetings in Philadelphia in 1969 and 1976. George was the education chair for the STLE Philadelphia Section for over 20 years. For his years of service, George was awarded as a Fellow by both STLE and NLGI in the same year, 1984. In 2001, George was presented the first ever STLE Vic Joll Award, initiating a now-annual award, which recognizes outstanding and selfless contributions by a member of an STLE local section.

George was known as a problem solver and took a sincere interest in helping his fellow STLE and NLGI members with their careers. His leadership extended to the many years that he was the program chair of the STLE Philadelphia Section.

George was meticulous in his planning, preparation and execution of meetings. He was often ably assisted by his wife, Mary (see photos). For us, George was a kind, generous individual who did his utmost to provide section members with a wide variety of programming (see photo with past chair Nick Ariano). This included the planning he did for the local section’s holiday party in December where participants got dressed up for the occasion.


George and his wife Mary.


George and his wife Mary.


George with past chair of the STLE Philadelphia Section Nick Ariano.
 
George was very adept at identifying and asking speakers to contribute to programming. He was always very demanding but in a very respectful manner. We found that it was not wise to turn down George because he would continue to ask. George’s persistence was an admirable trait that served him and the STLE Philadelphia Section well. 

George’s efforts paved the way for the STLE Philadelphia Section to continue to develop programming for our members and to implement a very successful STLE Student Scholarship Program, which enables the section to mentor young professionals.

We of the STLE Philadelphia Section, and the lubricant field in general, owe a great deal of gratitude to George. We continue to miss him to this very day. To celebrate George and honor his memory, the STLE Philadelphia Section gives a George Arbocus Education Course to its members every year.

An earlier perspective on George’s contributions to the lubricant industry can be found in an article published about him in the “STLE Member Profile” column of Lubrication Engineering in 2002.1 

REFERENCE
1. Phelan, K. (2002), “Philly native son still going strong after 45 years,” Lubrication Engineering, 58 (7), p. 9.

Neil Canter heads his own consulting company, Chemical Solutions, in Willow Grove, Pa. You can reach him at neilcanter@comcast.net. Tom O’Brien is a technical sales executive for Münzing North America and can be reached at T.OBrien@munzing.com.