Klaus Ludwig Mai

He was born in Changsha, China on March 7, 1930, to German parents, Dr. Ludwig H. Mai and Ilse (Behrend) Mai. He received his primary education in British, German and French schools before entering Fu Jen University in Beijing. He came to the United States in 1948 and continued his studies in Chemical Engineering at Gonzaga University, graduating in 1951. He obtained an M.S. degree and Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Washington in 1952 and 1954, respectively.

After two years in a research position at Proctor & Gamble’s Overseas Division in Cincinnati, he joined Shell Oil Company in Houston in 1957. During 33 years at Shell, he served in chemical manufacturing and business management, culminating his career as Vice President of Transportation and Supplies, Vice President of Shell Chemical Company, and President of Shell Development Company. He also served as President and Board Chairman of the World Petroleum Council based in London.

Klaus was a Fellow and Director of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He served as Chairman and Director of The Southwest Research Institute, Chairman of the Council of Chemical Research, Board Chairman of the Keystone Center, and member of the Executive Committee of the Houston Advanced Research Center. He was a board member of the American Industrial Health Council and the Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology. He was a member of the MIT Research Advisory Board and Engineering Advisory Boards of Rice University, the University of Washington and the University of Texas. Listed in Who’s Who in America, he was President of the Keystone Foundation, member of Phi Lambda Upsilon and Sigma Xi Honorary Societies and a member of the Research Advisory Committee of the National Conference Board. He was a commission member of the State of Texas Science and Technology Council.

Klaus served on the boards of the Houston Grand Opera and St. Joseph’s Hospital, and was a member of the Petroleum Club, the Houston Club and Lakeside Country Club. He was an avid sailor for many years, competing in Galveston Bay and Gulf regattas and later sailing his sloop in the Caribbean. He enjoyed family reunions at get-away homes in Keystone, Sandestin, and Colorado Springs, and was the consummate host. He was a talented dancer, accomplished bridge player and was fluent in German, Mandarin and English. He loved playing the stock market and chess. He was known to bribe and cajole grandchildren with offerings of Starbursts and Hershey Kisses. He was the ultimate family man.

His loving wife and rock of 64 years, Helen Marie Mai, predeceased him in March 2020. They were married in 1956, raised four boys and traveled the world together, often with family or close friends enjoying golf, sailing and wine tastings. They were residents of the Buckingham and treasured their friends there. He is survived by his four sons and their wives: Martin and Laurie of Ponte Vedra, Florida, Michael and Laurie of Katy, Mark and Kate of Austin, and Matthew and Lynn of Columbus, Ohio. Klaus adored his grandchildren and their spouses, Gabrielle and Bryn, William, Erin and Ryan, Stefan and Julie, Patrick and Blair, Claire, Martha, Erik and Maggie, Alex, and Meredith. He loved watching his family grow with great-grandchildren, Davis, Eliza, Cora, Reeve, Chandler, Charlotte, Audrey, Riley and Callan.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Cecilia’s Church on March 7 at 10:30 am.

Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be sent to Scleroderma Research Foundation at https://srfcure.org in his memory.