Thomas Mastin (1913–1998), chairman of Lubrizol Corporation, held 25 patents and was instrumental in the development and commercialization of many of the company’s products. Born in New Castle, Indiana, he earned advanced degrees in chemistry from the University of Illinois (M.S., 1939; Ph.D., 1942). He began his career with Lubrizol (then known as Cleveland Industrial Research Company) as a chemist in 1942, and three years later was named the company’s first director of research and development. Rising through Lubrizol’s executive ranks, he became president, CEO and chairman in 1972. He retired in 1982.

Mastin encouraged science and environmental education through major donations to programs at Lakeland Community College, Andrews School, Lake Metroparks and Lake Erie College. He was a trustee of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Grand River Academy, Euclid General Hospital, Lake Erie College, Northeast Ohio Council of Boy Scouts of America, Wabash College, Community Dialysis Center, Holden Arboretum, Council for Educational Growth and National History Day. He chaired the Cleveland section of the American Chemical Society and the Cleveland Association of Research Directors.