Harold G. Elrod (1918–1999)
The tribology field lost one of its giants when Dr. Harold G. Elrod died suddenly while playing his beloved sport of tennis on April 14, 1999.
Professor Elrod was educated at Phillips Exeter, MIT, and Harvard, receiving his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1949. He served as a naval officer in World War II from 1942–1945, retiring from the Naval Reserve as a Lt. Commander. He was a professor of engineering and science at Columbia University from 1955 to 1985. He also taught and did research at the U.S. Naval Academy, Case Western Reserve University, Michigan State University, INSA (Lyons), and the University of Southampton. In 1994, the ASME presented Prof. Elrod with the Mayo D. Hersey Award for his fundamental contributions to hydrodynamic lubrication theory and bearing design. He had continued as an active contributor and consultant in the field of mechanical engineering. He was a...
