Guy Thornton McBride Jr.

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.