Ingeborg Gertrude Lock, former UNH dining hall director, died on Nov. 23, 2018. She began working at UNH in 1976 and retired in 1996.
The following was written by her friend and colleague Sylvia Foster, educational program coordinator in the Office of Community, Equity and Diversity.
"Inge became 'a legend' as the director of UNH Dining. TNH staff interviewed her prior to her retirement. She said, “It’s not easy to make things successful, but food service here is a very satisfying endeavor particularly because the clientele gives me a lift. The students are bright, lively, young, irreverent and humorous. They keep me young. It’s fun being with people who are exploring and growing up.”
She spoke in praise of her smart, hardworking staff and delighted in their production of great work for the dining halls. Her voice was full of pride when she explained the efficiency of the rotating ovens, the precision of the cookie-cutter machine and the versatility of the European broilers. These modern amenities were among her many improvements to student dining during her 20 years as director.
Inge perceived the impact that she had on UNH Dining as measured by small, subtle increments that steadily built the program. She offered the perspective that, “Life is a whole sequence of small, but important, things.” Her modesty was clear while her work involved the largest food service program in the State of New Hampshire, feeding more than 10,000 students per day.
She adjusted the dining experience to meet student schedules to include after-hour access and the beloved University Picnic celebrating the start of each academic year. Colleague Rick MacDonald remembers that, during the planning stage of the very first picnic, Inge had Jack Garnett (Huddleston manager at the time) and Rick timing the cooks with stopwatches as they grilled burgers on gas grills. They used the data to figure out how many grills and how many cooks would be required to deliver the food at this massive event. Of course, the picnic went off without a hitch.
Inge established the program “Great Cooks on Campus” that brought renowned chefs to UNH."
A celebration of her life will be held Sunday, Dec. 16 at 11:30 a.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter, 12 Elm Street, Exeter, New Hampshire. A light lunch will be served. All are welcomed.
Those who wish to donate in her name may give to the Ingeborg Lock UNH Scholarship Fund for students of food-related programs/hospitality service employees at the University of New Hampshire Foundation, Elliott Alumni Center, Durham, New Hampshire, 03824; the Southeast Land Trust of NH, 6 Center Street, Exeter; or the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter.