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Mass

It is with deep sadness, we regret to inform you, the NEGPGA and the giant pumpkin growing community has lost one of the great founding fathers of the NEGPGA and the GPC. Hugh Wiberg passed away this morning. Hugh was the driving force behind the NEGPGA and the GPC. We have Hugh to thank for the legacy he has left to the giant pumpkin growers of the world. For those of you attending the Topsfield Fair Weigh Off the NEGPGA will host a dedication honering Hugh for all he has done to promote our great sport. It will be held in the hospitality tent immediately following the weighoff. Our deepest sympathy to Barbara and family.
With heavy hearts,
Mary Ann Hoomis on behalf of the NEGPGA
With a heav

10/2/2009 6:18:35 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Hugh's up there with Howard Dill and Buddy Connley and all the others in the big patch, smiling down on us and having one good ol' time.

Yes we'll miss him. Condolences to his family, friends, and the groups he's left a big hole in...

Deb Rebel

10/2/2009 6:48:48 PM

Hamburg, NY

God Bless Hugh Wiberg - Giant pumpkin growing would not be the same without his years of dedication.

10/2/2009 7:19:40 PM

Colorado

sad day-sorry to hear the bad news

10/2/2009 7:30:00 PM

Sharon, MA

This is such sad news. I'll miss Hugh. He was my mentor and a true friend in the Giant Pumpkin world.

10/2/2009 7:51:21 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Sorry to hear the bad news. I would have to say it has taken great men and Hugh being one of them as to what this great sport of growing giant pumpkins is all about. sorry again and our condolences to his family and friends.

10/2/2009 8:07:33 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

8 years ago I stumbled across Hugh at the local co-op. He was giving a solo Atlantic Pumpkin growing tutorial...complete with seeds, new starts, and a wealth of info. I was scribbling notes with a borrowed pen on every scrap of paper I could find in my wallet and pockets. I stayed til the end and helped him pack up his wares, chatting all the while. I was hooked on AG's and the caliber of people the hobby attracts. May you rest in peace Hugh.

10/2/2009 8:28:39 PM

Salisbury, MA.

Rest in peace my friend, I will sure miss our conversations and all the pumpkin wisdom you shared with me.

10/2/2009 9:04:34 PM

Topsfield,ma.

A true freind and great mentor,he gave me my start. I,The N.E.G.P.G.A.,The G.P.C. and The Entire Pumpkin Growing Community Owe Him A Lot.My deepest condolences to Barbara and family.Woody Lancaster

10/2/2009 9:10:16 PM

Ohio

rest in peace Hugh, and my condolences to Barb and family.

10/2/2009 9:36:00 PM

Parker, Co

we are sad to hear this news too. condolences to the family. the glasiers

10/2/2009 10:03:32 PM

Massillon, Ohio

what sad news. we will be thinking of all of you and praying for the family.

10/2/2009 10:50:16 PM

Nikiski, Alaska 99635

An absolute gentleman. I was fortunate to have been able to talk to Hugh over the phone a time or two. He was instrumental in getting the weigh-off at the Alaska State Fair off the ground. He gave me all the information I needed to get a weigh-off started and supplied the fair with a set of rules and regulations. My condolences to the entire Wiberg family...J.D. Megchelsen

10/2/2009 11:59:51 PM

New York

Very sorry to hear the news of Hugh’s passing. Hugh was a great guy who was a huge influence in getting me interested in this hobby. Many long phone calls and even more letters kept us in contact with each other during the 80's and 90's.
What many don’t know is Hugh came darn close to the WR in 1983 at 425 pounds. 60+ pounds shy and 40 pounds off the US record.

Hugh wrote many early articles concerning common problems growers experience and became a “go to guy” when people were looking for answers to their problems. He was always there to help.

I believe Hugh was also the first guy to come up with an estimation chart for these pumpkins. His early charts were a starting point for Len Stellpflug to take the next step. I remember using Hugh’s estimation tables using circumference only.

The pumpkin world has lost another great one.

10/3/2009 12:29:06 AM

[email protected]

Rest in Peace Mr. Wiberg. Condolences & Prayers for his family.

10/3/2009 1:56:38 AM

Rhode Island

Hugh Wiberg was a friend to everyone he ever came in contact with.

He was always the first person you met before entering the weigh-off arena at topsfield.He was there to personally welcome every grower with his kind manners and words of incouragement

Alot of people dont know that Hugh also was an avid bird watcher. He wrote books on the subject of hand feeding wild birds and personally showed Ron and I the correct way to attract birds right into the palm of your hand.

I was honored to be hand picked by Hugh to take his place on the gpc executive committee several years ago.

Hugh along with Howard Dill were also given the honor of being the first two men inducted into the gpc hall of fame.

make no mistake about it. without Huge Wiberg and Howard Dill there would have never been a gpc.

i will personaly never forget Hugh. Make no mistake about it, this was a great man, a gteat father and a friend to everyone.

we lost a true giant in this hobby.

pap

10/3/2009 4:03:34 AM

Team Munson

Hugh Wiberg the founding father of the GPC, king of the Topsfield fair cornerstone of the GPC. His foot prints on this sport is one I humbly try to follow I will miss him greatly.

Our heart felt condolences go out to Barb and the entire Wiberg family in this time of great loss.

Dave & Carol Stelts

10/3/2009 6:23:40 AM

Mastic Beach, New York

Wiberg family sorry for your loss..great man..i wrote to Hugh when i got my pumpkin bible(Dons first book)asking where is a weigh off near long island new york..few days later i had my answear.also met Hugh in person on the Ohio pumpkin patch /tour.he will be missed

10/3/2009 10:44:51 AM

Denver, CO

Sorry to hear of the loss. He will be greatly missed.

10/3/2009 11:48:50 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

God bless.

10/3/2009 4:57:02 PM

Puyallup, WA

Hugh was one of the "Founding Fathers" in the giant pumpkin world. A very gracious man who put everyone at ease in his company. A friend deserving of the Hall of Fame.

10/3/2009 5:17:46 PM

Nova Scotia

So Very very sorry to hear the news Barbara, sorry to miss your call. I told many today of Hugh's passing and how he and dad were so close and such great friends since I believe 1978? When you stop and think about it for a moment - Howard and Hugh were the 2 weigh-off pioneers - Canada and the US, instrumental in connecting growers and sites. We always enjoyed your visits here to Nova Scotia and remember fondly how much Hugh loved the lupines. Howard and Hugh will now talk about the World's first 1700 pound pumpkin and I'm sure they would both be very proud!
Danny Dill and Family

10/3/2009 6:53:13 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Our sincere condolences to the family.

10/3/2009 9:55:29 PM

So. Maine

Our condolences go out to Barbara and her family , we were glad to see her at Topsfield today to tell her about some great old stories about Hugh. HE WILL BE MISSED . AL B.

10/3/2009 10:03:21 PM

ordinary,VA

wiberg family is in our prayers.

10/3/2009 11:19:51 PM

North Smithfield, RI

Hugh is in our prayers.

10/4/2009 5:51:49 PM