Richard Songer was born December 19, 1935 in Detroit. After a short illness he passed away on November 22, 2020 at age 84. He is survived by his children Sheri, Sandy, Suzanne, Daniel and Sally, as well as 3 brothers, 14 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.In 1954 he started Portland Construction company and received contracts from the state of Michigan for large sewer installation projects. He bought property in Leone Township Mi, and built the infamous infrastructure to host large music festivals including a rotating stage that he designed. On July 18, 1970 he put on a country music festival with acts like Merle Haggard and Carl Perkins. Then on August 7, 8 and 9, 1970 he put on the Goose Lake International Music Festival “the Woodstock of the Midwest,” with artists like Rod Stewart, Chicago, Mountain, Jethro Tull, James Gang and local acts like Iggy & The Stooges, Bob Seger, and many more. Goose Lake became Greenwood Acres, a year-round family campground that included a drive-through zoo with exotic animals and a 9 hole golf course. He retired to Arizona bringing his backhoe with him, where he was known to help neighbors and friends when a big hole needed to be dug. He was always helping people out, and always had interesting stories to tell about his past exploits.
Condolences
I’d like to offer my condolences for the loss of Richard. I met Richard a of couple years ago while visiting family down in Arizona. He lived at the end of the block and had a fantastic collection of art in his yard including the giant stallions rising up to the sky with the perfect saddles painted on their back‘s. He also shared his story of the concert that was bigger than Woodstock! I so enjoyed meeting him and hearing his stories and adventures. He will be missed. Lori
SEND FLOWERS
