TLT: How did you get into tribology?
Baker: As it seems to be for most STLE members, mine was not a conscious decision. After college, I accepted a job offer from Humble Oil (which later evolved into Exxon USA and then ExxonMobil) to enter industrial lubricant sales. I knew very little about the then-new concept of tribology. The company recognized that, of course, and provided a year-long training program that included classes at the Houston headquarters, accompanying experienced sales reps in the field and six-week internships at several technical service labs around the country. I evolved into an unofficial lubrication engineer and was assigned a sales territory in New England.

TLT: How did you get involved with STLE?
Baker: I don’t recall the details to give someone credit. However, attending the American Society of Lubrication Engineers (ASLE, previous name before STLE) Boston Section meetings was an obvious opportunity to expand my knowledge of the variety of lubrication subjects and to network with my customers and potential customers. I was accepted into ASLE in 1969—yes, I have a 50-year lapel pin!

I changed companies in 1971 and joined Witco’s Sonneborn Division in New York City. I became active in the ASLE (still pre-STLE) New York Section and, over the next 15-20 years, held every office and board position. Those were the days before the internet and when STLE was more of an organization of local sections than today’s broad-ranging professional society. The speakers were a very important source of what’s new, and I particularly enjoyed the topics that were not necessarily the most relevant to my function then.

I had not been attending the STLE local section meetings too long when I was encouraged to join one of the planning committees by 1981-1982 STLE Past President Jim Dickey, who also became a friend of many years. I found the activity enjoyable and just continued to take on additional roles in the local section. I leaned then, and still do, toward education—both learning and teaching. At some point in the 1990s, I also became a member of STLE’s Education Committee.

That all led to my getting nominated and elected to STLE’s Board of Directors, Executive Committee and presidency. You just need to get started.

TLT: What motivates you to volunteer your time and energy to STLE?
Baker: I suppose it’s fair to say that, initially, the motivation was professional. The education and networking were obvious aids to my career. But as the years progressed, I stopped thinking, “Why?” and just found that the relationships that developed and the opportunities to advance my leadership skills were extremely satisfying and personally rewarding.

My career has involved not only my own learning but also passing it along to others. It was not always technical and has frequently involved training. I enjoy seeing others learn. Lubrication engineering offered me that from the start. I have had the pleasure of making presentations around the country and abroad. Being active in STLE increased both my skills professionally and my enjoyment personally. I have made lifelong friends.

TLT: What would you say is your most important contribution to the lubricants community?
Baker: My career was almost entirely technical sales and product management of lubricant additives. Much of what I may have contributed to the field in that regard is somewhat proprietary. However, to the community, I believe my contributions have been those opportunities afforded by STLE to promote tribology and lubrication engineering.

During my time on the STLE Board of Directors and Executive Committee, we expanded our certification programs, introduced TLT and significantly upgraded (for the time) www.stle.org. My strong areas were membership development, with particular attention on the role of the corporate members, and professional development with focus on education and certification.

I also had the pleasure of traveling throughout the U.S. and to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Japan—for the 50th anniversary celebration of the Japanese Society of Tribologists—representing STLE and promoting the benefits of membership and participation in STLE and local organizations.

TLT: How do we encourage young people to pursue careers in tribology?
Baker: That is a great question. We continue to see many young people with social and environmental enthusiasm. Tribology is a buried treasure of ways to protect the environment and conserve energy. I believe those of you reading this recognize that our multidisciplinary science can reduce friction to lower costs, preserve natural resources and create sustainability. But how do we get that out?

One important route is through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The current STLE leadership has charged the Scholarship Committee, chaired this year by STLE Vice President Ryan Evans, to expand its role beyond students who are already aware of tribology and involved to some extent. STLE Past President Maureen Hunter, my former colleague and dear friend, is STLE’s STEM Ambassador. Her specific charge is to promote lubrication technology before the young folks have any idea what tribology may be. Members can get involved in local STEM programs. As ideas are generated and/or help is needed, please contact Hunter for advice or assistance, in either direction, at MHunter@kingindustries.com.

We need to get awareness out before college. But even so, it seems that very few of the colleges that have tribology in their graduate schools have programs to reach down into the undergraduates to promote the science and the career opportunities. Some do, of course, but I believe Auburn University has the only formal undergraduate degree program. I encourage any STLE members in graduate schools, as students or faculty, to look at ways to reach out to the younger people currently in their universities and to attract high school applicants.

In the meantime, the STLE Scholarship Committee continues to focus on the standard and local scholarships, increasing the funding and establishing new programs. Although these do not go to students without some current involvement, they are certainly directed at encouraging the young people to continue along the career route.

TLT: What advice do you have for new people in the industry?
Baker: This is for the not-so-new people, too. As STLE Executive Director Ed Salek says, “Professional development is in STLE’s DNA.” Look for ways STLE can assist both personal and professional development.

First, STLE offers a broad range of educational opportunities, including TLT, webinars, courses at virtual and live events and the Learning Pathways, our filtered roadmaps to specific subjects. If you haven’t checked out www.stle.org recently, please do so and wander around the website. If you aren’t a member, I hope it gives you reasons why you will benefit from joining.

STLE local sections are a source of education and offer the chance to network with both your peers and my peers who have been around for a while. Attending the meetings may additionally lead to volunteering.

Participation is not just volunteering. Writing papers, making presentations and teaching are ways I improved my own skills. Another way to get involved is to become active in the technical committees or industry councils of interest to you. 

I believe mentoring is very significant, in both directions. Seek a mentor or be one. Mentees don’t need to be only within the industry. They can be outside and be part of the answer to the previous question to encourage others to pursue a career in our field.

I also encourage STLE members to promote the value of STLE within their own organizations, which can be mutually beneficial.

I continue to volunteer in retirement as a member of the STLE Presidential Council, which consists of the STLE past presidents and serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors. Perhaps if new people enjoy STLE as I do, they might one day be on the Presidential Council, too.

You can reach Bob Baker at rfbakerjr@gmail.com.