Hunter Coleman Purdie Jr.

I first learned of Hunter in the late 60s when I was a beginning saxophone student at Bethlehem Elementary School. My band director and sax teacher was Al Batts who played sax in the Continentals along with Hunter. I would see Hunter over the years at band concerts and events like All County and All Regional Band. I was always impressed with his demeanor and style. Years later, when I first learned that I would be doing my student teaching with Hunter, I was eager to work with him. It...

Don Falls, DSF Class of 1957, kindly made the listserve members of our class aware of Hunter's passing. Unfortunately, I was too busy trying to be an athletic jock to learn to play a musical instrument. A flaw I have often lamented in later life. However, "Mr. Purdie" through his leadership of the peprally bands and then of the band for football, was an inspirational and integral part of our Douglas Freeman athletic program. And he did it all with a low key demeanor and a little sly smile...

It's funny how things strike you across the years sometimes. More than 30 years on, I still credit Mr. Purdie for teaching me to really appreciate what music is all about, and I still miss playing in his band. Many things we learn in high school are useful in one way or another, but not so many enrich the entire remainder of our lives.

I was there with Todd Woodson (the first visitor here), and I remember it like it was yesterday. Those were great times, and Mr. Purdie will be...

Hunter was our musical Godfather. He left behind a vast legacy in the career paths of many. Getting to play with and know Hunter after being his student was just about as good as it gets. I will miss you dear friend.

I was privileged to teach with Hunter in the 50's and 60's. He was a tremendous person as well as an accomplished musician. He was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Hunter, we go back a long time. When you were interning from R.P.I. for a brand new band program at Washington-Henry School in Mechanicsville, I was one of your first beginners. That was in September, 1948! It was under your watchful eye that I blew my first breath through a trumpet, and you must have done something right because I went on from there to major on trumpet at R.P.I, and to play in symphony orchestras, brass bands, even a circus band, and am a comissioned Bandmaster in The...

We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Hunter was a good friend of my Dad's, Bill Youngblood, in the Jack Woodson Sketch group. I fondly remember meeting him several times at the shows and he was always very kind and humble. We will miss him. We send our regrets, the Youngblood Family (Dad is not able to travel at this time).

We will miss Hunter at the Sketch Club. He was such an important part of the group. I am so sorry I won't be able to be at his service as I am out of the country. Please know the family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

PEP RALLYS AT DOUGLAS FREEMAN IN 1962 AND 63 WERE ALL THE MORE INSPIRING WHEN HUNTER PURDIE DIRECTED HIS ROUSING BAND. HIS SCHOOL SPIRIT INSPIRED ALL OF US. FAREWELL, MR. PURDIE. YOU WERE LEGEND AND YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE AT DOUGLAS FREEMAN.