A man with a multitude of friends, Hugh Nelson Walpole died December 13, 2010, in his home in Springfield, Mo., a cancer victim at the age of 62. Born in Chicago, he was the only child of Sherlu Rardin Walpole and his father Hugh R. Walpole, then a University of Chicago professor. He taught his son to read at age two, which gave the boy a lifelong love of books and an extensive vocabulary. By the age of five young Hugh was fluent in reading the "Reader's Digest". Hugh's love of music took precedence over everything. While he was attending Glendale High School he joined his first band, The Shades. Later he received an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Drury University followed by a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from MSU. At the same time Hugh Walpole continued to hone his musical skill playing the piano, organ, guitar, and electric bass. The songs he wrote were produced by Si Siman and recordings licensed by BMI nationally. Even after making two overseas tours for the State Department--one to Vietnam and the other to the Canal Zone--Hugh Walpole always enjoyed being home and playing local dates, or going on road trips ranging from Minnesota to Louisiana or Tulsa to Las Vegas. Until a year before his death Hugh Walpole kept to music all the way as both player and songwriter. Some of the many artist and area groups were The Planets, Lavender Hill Mob, Blue Monday, Vicki Self, Kirk Brown, Louie and the Seven Days, Dean Billingsley, Truck, Tears of Joy, Keith McCormick, Wayne Carson, Bluesberries, The Unknown Band, The Ringers, and Johnny Patton. To express their affection for the man who often said, "Music is my life," friends (Bud Johnson and Joe Moreira) have organized a musical tribute for Hugh Walpole on Sunday, January 2, 2011. Fellow musicians from all points of the compass will arrive at American Legion Post 639, to play the music Hugh loved best. The post is located at 2660 S. Scenic, Springfield, Mo., with the hours for the gathering scheduled from noon till midnight. The public is invited to attend any or all portions of this memorial event.