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Kitchen -- George is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Nancy Kitchen of Rio Rancho, NM, his son Thomas Kitchen of Bryan, TX, his daughter Kathleen Champignon of Bridgewater, NJ, three grandchildren, Jay of Albuquerque, NM, and Chris and David of Bridgewater, NJ, brother John K. Kitchen of Bedminster, NJ, Edward F. Kitchen of Jeffersonton, VA and his sister Joanne C. Murray of Barnegat Light, NJ. George is a graduate of Holy Spirit High School, Atlantic City, NJ Class of 1942. He attended Drexel Institute of Technology. His undergraduate work was interrupted by World War II where George served in the Army's 103rd Cactus� Infantry Division. George received four bronze stars for service in the Rhineland, Central Europe, Rome-Arno, and Southern France campaigns. He returned to finish his college studies at Drexel and Penn State Universities earning degrees in Petroleum and Chemical Engineering. George was employed by Atlantic Refining in Philadelphia, PA from 1948 to 1955. He then became supervisor of the Fuels and Lubrication research at Bell Telephone Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ until 1982. At his retirement, he was recognized for having introduced new lubricants and lubricant practices that improved the reliability of an enormous variety of equipment. He was a pioneer in using solid lubricants, especially PTFE and molybdenum disulfide for applications ranging from the Telstar antenna to undersea systems. Of particular significance, were his studies on the stabilization of stored fuels, which have made perpetual storage possible. George retired to Rio Rancho where he co-founded International Lubrication and Fuel Consultants Inc. with his wife Nancy in July 1982 to continue working in his field. The company has developed several patents relating to fuel additives and testing procedures He was a lifetime member of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. In 1966 he received this society's Wilber Deutsch Memorial Award and served as President from 1986 to 1987. He also was an active member of ASTM International for over 30 years and was currently working on cathodic protection standards for underground storage tanks. George was a vibrant community leader and servant who led by example. He was a historian and board member of the Telephone Pioneer Museum of New Mexico since its inception in downtown Albuquerque in 1997. The Museum, a project of retirees from AT&T, US West, and Lucent Technologies, celebrates the history of the telephone communications industry. As a member of the Lions Club, George prominently served the organization in many capacities. His Lions career started when he joined the Albuquerque Northwest Lions Club, which today is the Rio Rancho Host Club. He was president from 1987-1988. He was awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship in 1991 for his outstanding humanitarian services. He served as 40N District Governor, 1997-1998 and the state Multiple Council Chairman 2000-2001. During his term as Governor he ran the first Charity Ball in Rio Rancho to benefit the New Mexico Lions Eye Foundation. He department and Lions to bring Diabetes testing along with eye screening to rural areas of New Mexico. George was a member of the Edelweiss AM, the Rio Grande German American Club. Through the year he brought many of Rio Rancho's charity organizations together for the fundraising Oktoberfest celebrations. George was also a member of the Rio Rancho Chamber of Commerce and the Rio Rancho Chamisa Hills Country Club. October 2002, he returned to Atlantic City to attend his 60th class reunion. He enjoyed spending time with his schoolmates. In April 2003 he had an opportunity to say his final goodbyes to his fellow Lions, as he was MC at the 40N Convention in Rio Rancho. He was hospitalized on April 14th and died in the hospital of heart failure. We who knew him well will miss him a lot. Mass of Christian burial is Monday, April 28, 10:30 a.m., at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Rio Rancho. Interment will follow in Vista Verde Memorial Park. Arrangements by Vista Verde Memorial Park and Mortuary 4310 Sara Road in Rio Rancho 892-9920
        Published on: Sun April 27, 2003