Allen R. Bushnell

Allen R. Bushnell, born May 17, 1927, died peacefully April 4, 2023. Allen was born to Mary E. (Gasser) Bushnell and Alfred Bushnell in Madison, WI. He grew up in Madison where he developed and early love for skiing, ski jumping and sailing.  He joined the US Navy at age 18 and was stationed at Pearl Harbor with the pacific fleet.  After the war he graduated from University of Wisconsin with a B.S. in Art Education, and from Cranbrook Academy of Art with an M.F.A. in Industrial Design.  He then went to work in the automotive industry with Chrysler and Ford, and also worked in Detroit city planning, and for Charles Eames in furniture and interiors.  He married Ruth Ann Dauterman in 1953 in Bloomfield Hills, MI.  They then moved to Milwaukee, WI, where Allen taught at Layton School of Art and formed Bushnell and Hay Design Associates. The firm specialized in product industrial design, architecture, interiors, and city planning.  One of his favorite projects was interior design for a home for the aged. His use of color to help residents with orientation was rewarded with great great acclaim.  While Allen and Ruth lived in Milwaukee they became parents to three boys: David, Peter, and Paul. In 1966 the family moved to Ithaca, NY where Allen joined the Cornell Department of Human Ecology as Associate Professor, and later Ruth became a teacher at Caroline Elementary School.  Allen greatly enjoyed teaching in the field of design, working with his graduate students, and continuously working on his own art and design.  Allen was an avid skier and sailor throughout his life.  The whole family spent winters skiing at Greek Peak and the kids took up ski racing.  Summers were spent sailing at Ithaca Yacht Club and taking family trips to many wonderful places.  Allen had a deep respect for the environment and loved the outdoors, both of which he incorporated into his art and design. Allen is survived by is wife of 69 years, Ruth; his sons, their spouses and children, Peter (Cynthia) Bushnell of Cazenovia, NY and sons Mark and Eric; Paul (Laurie) Bushnell of Kalamzoo, MI and daughter Virginia; daughter-in-law Laurence Jaquet of San Francisco, CA, and daughters Lea and Lola.  Allen was predeceased by his son David (Laurence Jaquet) Bushnell, and granddaughter Julia Sivley, daughter of Paul (Laurie) Bushnell.  Allen was also predeceased by his sister Dorothy (Bushnell) Drives of Madison, WI. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bangs Funeral Home, Ithaca, NY. Online condolences may be made to Allen’s family at www.bangsfuneralhome.com.