Obituary of Doris Rogers Schomberg

Doris Rogers Schomberg, 83, of Hillsborough, NC, passed away October 28, 2022 surrounded by family and friends.  Doris was born August 17, 1939 in Cuba City, Wisconsin to the late Harold and Mary Rogers.

Doris graduated from Cuba City High School where she was recognized as class valedictorian.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin (1961) and Masters in Food Science from Purdue University (1964).  Her work experience in the food service industry took her from West Bend, Wisconsin to Cambridgeshire, England and eventually settled at Alamance Community College (ACC) for 39 years where she created the culinary department out of the trunk of her car.  Doris was honored as the first ACC Teacher of the Year in 1986 and served as President of the Culinary and Hospitality Alliance of North Carolina.  She was a member of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and was the first ACF professional to create an online course for ACF certification in 1999. She is one of only four ACC instructors in the college’s 50 year history to be named Professor Emeritus with a 100% vote of the college trustees in recognition of her exemplary dedication to the college and the community. 

Together with her long-time work colleague, Marvin Kimber, she co-authored the Food Service Lab Book used at ACC and other NC colleges.  Together, they also wrote the cookbook, Plenty for Twenty.  Doris enjoyed cooking meals for family and friends and many people remember her shrimp and grits, cinnamon rolls, and pancakes with homemade syrup.

Being the friendly, hospitable person she was, she fit in perfectly with the Midwesterners of her home state of Wisconsin and the folks of North Carolina, where she lived for over 50 years.  She loved Grace Lutheran Church, the Smokey Mountains, a good comedy, and tasty, interesting food.  She especially loved helping students make their career dreams come true. Her wide professional network was a true asset in helping students reach the next stepping stone in their long-term career plans. Doris was a natural teacher having the enthusiasm for the classroom everyday plus the deep rooted academic knowledge of nutrition and food sciences that helped every student with their critical thinking skills.  Her ability to crystallize difficult information was truly unique and much appreciated by her students.  They adored her sense of humor and her storytelling in the classroom.

Doris was a real Christmas “freak” and she loved the entire Holiday season.  She loved the Christmas Eve service each year at Duke Chapel, preparing meals for her family and friends, writing personal letters, decorating the tree and home, and shopping, along with the fun and beauty of the entire season, she loved it all! Doris also enjoyed reading, quilting, sewing, and music as well as spending time with her extended family all over the country.

In addition to her parents, Doris is preceded in death by her brother, Delmar Rogers.  Doris is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Dave Schomberg.  They shared many years of love, family, and togetherness.  Doris always said she was fortunate to share life with the most patient and loving person she ever knew!  They enjoyed academics, travel, and their farm and mountain home.

Doris is survived by her two sons, David Schomberg Jr and wife Regina of Winston Salem, and Carlyle Schomberg and wife Katie of Waynesville. She was also blessed with five grandsons whom she loved very much: Will Schomberg, Ben Schomberg, Sam Schomberg, Zak Schomberg and Lucas Schomberg.  Her sons and their families were her number one pride and joy. Doris will always be remembered by her grandsons as a very loving Nana who loved having them visit for food, fishing and fellowship.

She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Marlene Rogers, niece, Kate Rogers Kern, and nephew, Doug Rogers, as well as numerous cousins, friends and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kimber/Schomberg Culinary Scholarship, Alamance Community College Foundation.

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday November 12^th 4:00pm at Grace Lutheran Church in Durham, NC with a reception following at the Hilton – Durham/Duke University