They Will Be Missed

Delk, Robitaille Honored With Lifetime Achievement Awards

At the Fall meeting, PFA honored two long-time veterans of the flexible polyurethane foam industry with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Van Delk of Dow Chemical and Tom Robitaille of Lonza were recognized posthumously, with colleagues and family accepting the awards on their behalf.

Delk spent more than 33 years at Dow, working as a Technical Service Manager. He was widely recognized among Dow customers for his technical expertise, and as a teacher and a mentor within the company. He died in May, shortly after his retirement.

Robitaille’s 36-year career in the flexible polyurethane foam industry included numerous technical achievements, including patents in the application of lasers and for novel uses of antimicrobial compounds for commercial and industrial use. Many of his applications can be found in common household items and footwear.

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