Photos of Ingrid

Below are several collections of photos of Ingrid U. Schmidt (maiden name Hartz). Click on images to enlarge.


Ingrid in Germany




A scrapbook on horses Ingrid made in Germany when she was a girl
    


Ingrid in Omaha at the Henry Doorly Zoo
Ingrid became a supervisor quite quickly after starting at the zoo. It was in Omaha that she first started specializing in the big cats. During that time, vet resources were scarce and breeding in zoos was still fairly new so zoo staff often had to take baby animals home to care for them. Ingrid was often tasked with caring for the baby felines. There is also a photo of her husband, Larry Schmidt, in this collection.

























Ingrid at the Rio Grande Zoo in Albuquerque, NM
Ingrid worked at the Rio Grande Zoo for over 30 years. From bringing the rescue polar bear "Lear" from Canada to Albuquerque and starting the cheetah Species Survival Plan (SSP) which became a template for other SSPs to getting ready for an appearance on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and becoming known as the "madame of the cat house", it was a long and successful chapter for Ingrid and the Rio Grande Zoo. Ingrid was also an early advocate of providing enrichment for zoo animals, as well as creating naturalistic enclosures, not for the sake of zoo visitors but to allow for the animals natural behaviors. She retired in 1997. In this collection you will also find a photo of Ingrid's good friend, and Zoological Society leader, Letitia Pierce, as well as a photo with your son, Sean Schmidt. Make sure to visit the Press page for articles on Ingrid during this period. Click on images to enlarge.















Canoe Ceremony
Ingrid died on March 17, 2014 from complications of lung cancer at the age of 72. She requested no funeral or graveside service but did ask that her ashes be spread off the shores of Maui, Hawaii where she had visited many times. Her son, Sean Schmidt, happened to be an outrigger canoe paddler so he arranged or a traditional Hawaiian canoe ceremony. The ceremony was led by Kimokeo Kapahulehua, assisted by his partner Ryn Hughes. Participants included Ingrid's sons, Michael Hartz and Sean Schmidt, Michael's partner Kathy, Ingrid's sister from Germany Annemarie Vogle, and paddling friends of Sean's from Maui, Dane and Moana Ward. The ceremony was held off the beach at the Kalepolepo Fishpond that Kimokeo is restoring, located next to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, a location that Kimokeo noted was perfect for Ingrid considering her long career in zoos and conservation. "A Song for Mom" by Haunani Apoliona was played on the beach before pushing off. Click on images to enlarge.














From time to time, Ingrid's family and friends stop by Kalepolepo Fishpond to remember and honor Ingrid. Below are some images from those visits. Click on image to enlarge.





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