Arnold Charles Witte Jr.

Arnold was born on July 20, 1938, in Bellville, Texas, to Leona and A.C. “Big Foot” Witte. He graduated from Henrietta M. King High School in Kingsville, Texas in 1956, then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Texas Tech University in 1961 and a Master of Science in Engineering from Lamar University in 1971. He spent his career working at Texaco’s Port Arthur Research Laboratories, where he was a recognized expert in the field of lubrication and grease product and process development. He was instrumental in the laboratory development and subsequent commercialization of the Texaco Continuous Grease Manufacturing Process, regarded in the industry as an economical method of manufacturing large volumes of greases with reduced manpower and utility costs. He was also pivotal in the design and start-up of Texaco grease plants in the US, Brazil, Europe, and Africa, and developed innovative formulations of railroad lubricants. His work for Texaco earned R&D’s Outstanding Contributor Award on three occasions, and in 1995 he was named a Texaco Honorary Fellow by its Chairman/CEO and Vice Chairman in recognition of his achievements in technology and his exceptional contributions to the company and the industry. He authored numerous papers and presentations, received thirteen patents in the area of grease processing and product formulation, and was a contributing author of the Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing and Design. He was also a member of the National Lubricating Grease Institute, where he was awarded three Clarence E. Earle awards, the Fellows Award, the Meritorious Service Trophy, and the Award for Achievement, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the growth and development of NLGI as an author, instructor, and long-standing member of the Technical Committee. Arnold was an outstanding mentor to many and continued to advance grease manufacturing technology and education globally after his retirement from Texaco in 1996.

Arnold met his future wife, Billie Jean (Guidry), while both were working at Texaco and they married in 1963. They enjoyed 57 devoted years together building a family, gardening, and traveling across the US, Europe, and Australia, and to one of his favorite places – British Columbia. He led an active life raising his two daughters and spending time with his grandson. Arnold was the rock of his family – we will always remember his strong mind, his fierce will, his adventurous spirit, and his kind and loving heart.

Arnold was preceded in death by Billie Jean in 2021, and is survived by daughters Ann Christine Witte and Catherine Witte, grandson Jonathan Tantillo, sons-in-law Jason Tantillo and Michael Shepherd, and brother David Witte.

If you wish to remember Arnold, please do so to the charity of your choice or to the American Cancer Society.