Dr. Ingrid Proksch Westmoreland was born in Andorf, Austria, on April 23, 1945, to Dkfm. Ing. (Master Engineer) Walter Rudolph Willy Proksch and Ing. (Engineer) Margareta Maria Proksch. She lived her early years in Russian-occupied Vienna, post World War II, attending convent school. She was driven by her families’ belief that while one could take away your freedom, no one could take away your education.

She excelled at school and after finishing high school in Austria, she spent a year as a foreign exchange student in Hudson, North Carolina, in the home of Richard Barton and Estoy Bragg Hayes before returning to Vienna to continue her studies at the University of Vienna. In the warmth of the Hayes’ home, she formed lifelong bonds with the Hayes family, especially Estoy Bragg Hayes, whom she later cherished as a mother-in-law, and Frances Hayes Swanson, who became both a dear friend and sister-in-law. During this year, she developed a deep love for the United States and later became a naturalized citizen in 1982.

Ingrid received her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in History from the University of Vienna in June 1970. That same year she married Robert Barton Hayes and moved to North Carolina, where she began her lifelong career in teaching in the public school system.

In 1973 she welcomed the birth of her daughter, Stephanie Elizabeth, and in 1976 her son, Christopher Barton, was born on New Year’s Day. After dedicating several years to raising her children, she returned to teaching, continuing to inspire both her family and countless students and colleagues with her commitment to education.

She later joined the History Department at Southeastern Oklahoma State University as an Associate Professor and eventually became Chair of the Department. At Southeastern, Ingrid was deeply involved in honors societies while continuing her scholarship and teaching. Upon her retirement in 2007, the Regional University System of Oklahoma bestowed upon her the honorary title of Professor Emeritus of History.

In retirement, Ingrid returned to Vienna for several years, where she was able to spend cherished time with her father, her sister and brother-in-law, and many friends from her convent school and university years whom she had missed while living in America.

Ultimately, her love for her family brought her to Austin, Texas, where she resided until her death.

“Mere-Mere,” as she was known to her family, had an adventurous and curious spirit. She traveled widely with her family, visiting Peru-her favorite destination, as well as Europe, where she proudly showed her daughter and grandchildren her beloved Vienna (Wien), and Japan, where she delighted in experiencing another culture. She was willing to try anything at least once, enjoyed a good laugh and Prost, and had a gift for encouraging others and strengthening their confidence.

“To her daughter, she was her beloved confidant and inspiration as a working, professional mother.

She was dearly loved and cherished and will be deeply missed but never forgotten.”

Dr. Westmoreland is survived by her sister, Ing. Jutta Proksch Smutka and her husband Ing. Franzi Smutka; her daughter, Stephanie Hayes Cook, J.D., and her husband William Andrew (“Andy”) Cook; her son, Christopher Barton Hayes, M.D., and his wife Jody Coleman Hayes, M.D.; and her grandchildren Colin Clark, Jackson Clark, Catherine Clark, Coleman Hayes, Sterling Hayes, Preston Hayes, and Emma Cook and Drew Cook, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net