LANGHORNE, Pa.—Thomas N. Loser, who spent 65 years in the rubber industry, died Oct. 27 at the Attleboro Rehabilitation Center in Langhorne. He was 93.
He graduated from Wesleyan University in 1942 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1942-46. He spent his entire business career in the industrial chemicals field.
In 1953, Loser co-founded Wyrough & Loser Inc. along with George J. Wyrough. He became sole owner in 1968 and remained as president until the company and its subsidiary—Nassau Chemical Co.—were sold in 1987.
Wyrough & Loser was a leader in specialty rubber chemicals, and Loser held several related patents.
Loser also was active in rubber industry activities. He served as chairman of the Philadelphia Rubber Group and in 1983 was chairman of the ACS Rubber Division, when the group boasted more than 5,000 members in about 40 countries.
During the Rubber Division's spring meeting in 1983, he gave a speech about how the rubber industry was perceived as mature, and he didn't think that was accurate.
“I do not accept that the rubber industry is mature,” Loser said. “Indeed, we are blessed. Our lives are with rubber, quite possibly the most marvelous engineering material man will ever know.”
Harold Herzlich, technical editor of Rubber & Plastics News, recalls Loser for the many years when he made sales calls on Armstrong Tire, along with the years they worked together in the Rubber Division.
“He was a super gentleman who always took time to meet with a range of our technical people as a friend and a mentor,” Herzlich said. “The special attention he gave to our younger people was unusual. He was one of those who got me active in the Rubber Division as a member of his education committee. Education was one of his loves. He followed my 1982 chairmanship with his own 1983 chairmanship and led the Division with vigor and innovation. In fact I'm proud to have his signature on my Rubber Division life membership card.”
Loser is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Mrs. Todd D. Johnston and her husband; two grandsons, Timothy and Christopher Johnston; and a brother, Paul Loser.
Contributions may be made to St. Mary Medical Center, 1201 Langhorne-Newtown Rd., Langhorne, PA 19047.