Guy Thornton McBride Jr.

Guy Thornton McBride Jr. obituary

Guy McBride Obituary

Born in Austin, Texas on December 12, 1919, Guy passed away early Monday morning March 21, 2011, in Lakewood, Colorado. As President of the Colorado School of Mines (1970-1984), Guy was instrumental in the creation of what is now the McBride Honors Program at Mines. Guy was the valedictorian of the University of Texas class of 1940 and received a Doctorate of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1948. As a chemical engineer with Standard Oil and then a consultant with Texas Gulf Sulphur Company, Guy gained experience in industry but his first love was education. He became first an associate professor of Chemical Engineering at Rice University and then associate dean and later Dean of Students at Rice (1950-1958). Leaving the school in 1958 he became a Vice President and later head of the Phosphate Division for Texas Gulf. In 1970 he returned to education with his post as President of Mines. The recipient of several honorary degrees and awards, including Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Texas, Guy's highest priority for many years was the Mines Honors Program for Public Affairs. He always believed a firm understanding of public affairs and the intellectual basis for modern actions were a vital part of any excellent engineering education. In all he did Guy evidenced his belief that one man could make a difference and those who knew him are sure that he personally achieved that goal. After 1984, Dr. McBride taught several courses at Mines and continued his efforts as an independent board member of several corporations including Hercules, Halliburton and Kerr-McGee. He was also able to devote more time to his woodworking and cabinetry - a hobby through which he enriched the lives of many with his fine pieces of furniture. Guy is survived by his wife, Cordelia Rush McBride, his children William H. McBride (Susan) and Ellen McBride Alsobrooks (Joe), his grandchildren, Guy T. McBride III, Andrew G. McBride, Matthew McCarty, William H. McBride Jr. and Brian McCarty, and three great grandchildren. Also Cordelia's children, Lauren Hubbell, Pam Sander (Eric) and Susan Rush, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rebekah Bush McBride and his older daughter Rebekah Ann McBride. There will be a viewing on Thursday March 24, 2011 at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, 7777 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, from 4 - 7 p.m. Funeral services will also be at Olinger Crown Hill beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday March 25, 2011, with a reception afterwards. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be given to the McBride Honors Program at the Colorado School of Mines Foundation, P.O. Box 4005, Golden, Colorado 80401 or Central Presbyterian Church of Denver, 1660 Sherman Street, Denver, Colorado 80203. Condolences may be offered at www.CrownHill Funeral.com.

Published by Denver Post from Mar. 23 to Mar. 24, 2011.
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Memories and Condolences
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It was a great privilege to be a student of Dr. McBride’s and to work in his administration in the late 70’s. He was one of the most approachable, honorable, gracious, and erudite individuals I ever met, and the School of Mines is fortunate to have had his guidance. My condolences to the family.

Greg Staff '73

May 4, 2011

I was a member of the book group Guy McBride led for over a decade. I came to admire and respect him greatly. His death is equivalent to the Library of Congress burning. I am very thankful for the honor of knowing him.

Francis Miller

April 1, 2011

Dr. McBride's contributions to the Colorado School of Mines will continue to enrich students for years to come. My condolences to his family and friends.
~Jeff Parham (Mines 2009)

Jeffrey Parham

March 31, 2011

God gives us relatively few public servants of Guy's character and devotion to his life's mission. We rejoice in having known him and having toiled with him in the vineyard of service to youth and mankind. Senator Hugh Fowler

March 25, 2011

Dr. McBride's impact on many young men and women as a thought leader in the community and President of the Colorado School of Mines will live on. It is an honor to have known him and to have been the beneficiary of his life-long friendship. His memory is indelibly imprinted on the Crawford family and our thoughts and prayers are with Guy T., Cordelia, and all of his family.
In loving memory, Craig and Lisa Crawford, and their children Jackson, Claire and Travis. (Houston, Texas)

Craig Crawford

March 24, 2011

My condolences. I graduated in 1997 with a Minor in Public Affairs from the McBride Honors Program and am proud to have benefited from Mr. McBride's legacy at Mines. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Arist Athanasopoulos

March 24, 2011

I've been blessed with a wonderful long and productive career as a Professor at Mines and we gratefully acknowledge the support from Guy McBride during the course of this career.
Ed and Meridee Cecil

Ed Cecil

March 24, 2011

Dr. McBride's contributions to the Colorado School of Mines live on in (among many other ways) the Honors Program named for him -- one of his greatest legacies at the school.

David Frossard

March 24, 2011

Bill, Susan, Ellen and everyone. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time. Sending you our prayers and love.
Julie Agnor Ellison and the Tom Agnor Family

March 23, 2011

Ellen and Bill and families,
Scott and I are sorry for your loss. We wish that we could be there for the service.
Blessings,
Scott and Mary Kathryn (Agnor) Kirkpatrick

Mary Kathryn Kirkpatrick

March 22, 2011

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Funeral services provided by:

Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery

7777 West 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

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