Obituary: Former Trinity President Lockwood

Perkins-Parker Funeral Home 
Theodore (Ted) Davidge Lockwood, veteran of the US Army 10th Mountain Division, former president of Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut, and founding president of the United World College of the American West in Montezuma, New Mexico, died peacefully at his home in Stowe, Vermont on Jan. 21, 2019.
Ted was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, on Dec. 5, 1924, to Harold J. and Elizabeth (van Campen) Lockwood. At the time, his father was Professor of Engineering at Dartmouth. At age 11, Ted began his studies at Northwood School in Lake Placid, NY, where he played violin, piano, and tuba in the school’s orchestra, excelled in academics and sports, and was a member of the ski team. He was most valuable player on the baseball team in his senior year.
Ted began his college career in 1942 at Trinity College where he had been awarded a New York City alumni scholarship. World War II intervened and he completed only one year of studies before entering the US Army in March 1943. With his skiing and general mountaineering skills, he was a perfect fit for the newly formed 10th Mountain Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal during his service in Italy’s North Apennines Po Valley.
After his discharge in 1945, Ted resumed his education at Trinity as a history major. He graduated Valedictorian with a BA degree in 1948, then enrolled at Princeton where he received both an MS degree in 1950 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1952.
Ted taught at Trinity, Dartmouth, MIT, and Juniata College. At Concord College in Athens, West Virginia, he transitioned from teaching into administration. He then became Dean and Provost at Union College, a well-established engineering-liberal arts school in Schenectady, New York.
Ted returned to Trinity College as President in 1968. By the time he completed his 13-year stewardship in 1981, he had fundamentally modified the curriculum, governance, and outreach and put the school on sound scholastic and financial footing.
Ted retired from Trinity to Quechee, Vermont, with his wife, the former Lucille (Lu) Abbot. Kingman Brewster, a friend, colleague and former president of Yale, recommended Ted to be an adviser to HRH Prince Charles who presided over the five United World Colleges (Wales, Canada, Singapore, Swaziland and Italy) whose curriculum is the British International Baccalaureate, and who hoped to establish a sixth college in the United States. Ted took the job and the new school was opened in August 1982. Ted served as president until 1993, a fitting finale to Ted’s many distinguishing years as an educator,
After his retirement, Ted lived several years in Santa Fe, New Mexico, before returning to his New England roots. In 1998 he and Lu settled in Stowe, Vermont. Ted continued to write, paint, play tennis, and advise and serve on various boards including the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation. Locally, he was active in community affairs and volunteerism and served on the board of the Helen Day Art Center.
Ted is survived by his wife of 38 years, Lu Lockwood of Stowe, VT; children, Tamara Quinn and husband Warren, Mavis Lockwood and husband Jonathan Borak, Serena Lockwood, Nicholas Abbot and wife Cheryl, Michael Abbot and wife Robin; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family. Ted was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth, in 1980, and his son, Richard Lockwood, in 2005.