Bunny Allen McBride, 81

Bunny Allen (B.A.) McBride of Cape Coral, Florida and Solon, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at Arden Courts in Fort Meyers, Florida. A celebration of life will be held at a date to be determined in the future in Iowa City, Iowa.

Bunny was born in Butte, Montana on April 8, 1938 to Flossie and Lawrence "Mac" McBride. He spent his youth hiking, camping, and fishing throughout Montana. He graduated from Whitehall High School in 1956 in Whitehall, Montana. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Commercial Art in 1960 and a degree in Art Education in 1965, both from Montana State University. After serving in the United States Army as an illustrator, he received an M.F.A. from Alfred University in Alfred, New York in 1970.

Bunny McBride devoted his professional life to his students. Bunny began teaching at the University of Iowa School of Art and Art History, Ceramics Department in 1970 where he remained until his retirement in 2010. The phenomenon of University of Iowa trained professor who studied under Bunny has been labeled the "Iowa Connection: by the National Council on the Education of Ceramic Arts (NCECA). NCECA coined this term in 2010 when Bunny was honored with the "Excellence in Teaching Award" at the National Ceramics Educator's Conference in Philadelphia.

While spending nearly forty years teaching at the University of Iowa, Bunny continued to create his own work. His work received critical acclaim both nationally and internationally. His pieces were honored at the International Ceramics Competition, Nine States Ceramic Exhibition the Cedar Creek National Teapot Show, and countless others. His pieces have been purchased by the State of Iowa and the University and are permanent installations in the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the Iowa Memorial Union, and other campus buildings.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Arlene McBride; his children Heather E. Cole and husband Ken, Ryan D. McBride and husband Matt Ivey, and Justin D. McBride and wife Annette; and his beloved grandchildren Timothy Cole, Nile McBride, and Hayden McBride.

In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, the family has asked those wishing to honor Bunny donate to the Bunny McBride Visiting Artist Fund to help recruit artists from around the world to come to the University of Iowa to enhance the educational experience within the Ceramics Department. Donations may be made to the "Bunny McBride Fund: at the following address: UI Center for Advancement, 1 West Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52242.