Librarian Saves Money, Eats Frozen Dinners, Leaves Surprise $4 Million Gift to UNH

Photo courtesy UNH

Robert Morin was said to have read every book published in the United States between 1930 and 1938, the year of his birth, when he died last year at age 77.

For nearly 50 years, he worked at the Dimond Library in the University of New Hampshire, where he had graduated in 1961. His financial adviser told the Union-Leader that his client rarely went out and never spent much. He drove an older car and regularly ate frozen dinners.

So imagine UNH’s surprise when it received a check for $4 million from the guy who spent decades quietly cataloging its scores of books.

Of Morin’s posthumous gift, $100,000 was specifically dedicated to the Dimond Library, helping renovate multimedia rooms, create scholarships for work-study students, and provide support for staff who wish to further study library science.

Morin developed a love of football from watching games on television during the last 15 months of his life spent in an assisted living center. Fittingly, $1 million will go toward a video scoreboard at the school’s new football stadium.

“Bob’s demonstrated commitment to UNH through his philanthropy is tremendously inspiring,” UNH President Mark Huddleston said in a release. “We are committed to providing the resources needed to ensure every student achieves professional success and Bob’s gift will play a major role in that effort.”

Another $2.5 million will help establish a career center for students and alumni on campus, Huddleston said.