Richard N. Skogman

Richard Norman Skogman, 62, of Ralph died unexpectedly on Friday, August 23, 2024, at his home in Ralph, MI.
He was born May 24,1962 in Iron Mountain, son of Norman Skogman and the late Shirley Oman Skogman. Richard graduated from North Dickinson County School in 1980. He married the former Penny Thoune on May 12, 1984, in Foster City, they had just recently celebrated their 40th anniversary.
Richard was a lifelong potato farmer, being the 4th generation to own and operate the family farm that he and his wife worked on together. He had spent the last 13 years working side by side with his son Mathew, getting him established to take over the farm when he retired. The immense wealth of knowledge that Richard had when it came to farming, mechanics, fabrication was unmatched if it was broke, he could fix it; if you could imagine it, he could fabricate it; if he needed it, he would build it. He was always willing to help friends and family with whatever project they were working on, he made sure everyone else was taken care of. He was always helping and teaching his kids to rebuild, remodel, and restore things. Richard didn't know how to sit still, he always had to be working on something and left no project unfinished, his work ethic was unparallelled.
Richard enjoyed spending time fishing with his family, taking a ride "out back" to check for deer, playing cribbage and three-ball at camp, scouting for new deer blinds to make sure he would win the buck pool. He enjoyed watching Nascar races and his grandkids sporting events, going bowling and watching a good movie. You could always find one of his grandkids riding along in the tractor or the potato truck, and his granddaughter Dakota on the tuber-planter planting seed. His granddaughter Ivy always looked forward to seeing papa Rich over at the warehouse by her home. He enjoyed taking his pontoon to Way Dam, where you'd find him every 4th of July with his family, teaching his grandkids to drive the boat.
He loved collecting vintage snowmobiles with his son-in-law Jamie and taking "relic rides" to Knotty Pine. You could find him cussing at tractor tires in his son-in-law Buzz's shop. He enjoyed fabricating machines, building things with his grandkids, and riding the minibikes around the farm. He loved taking his grandson Carson out for the youth hunt every year, passing on his love of the outdoors. Richard lived for his family; he loved to spend quality time with his wife, kids and grandkids. He lived a humble life, and it was the simple things that brought him the most joy. There aren't enough words to describe the wonderful life he lived, the impact he had on those who loved him, and the legacy he is leaving behind. He was a firm believer in God and a member of Zion Lutheran Church.
Richard is survived by his wife Penny; three children, Sarah (Justin "Buzz") Massie and their children, Gage and Dakota; Mathew (Chelsea) Skogman and their children, Ivy and Warren; and Samantha (Jamie) Mattson and their children, Carson, Lindsey, Lainey and Colton, all of Foster City. He is also survived by his father, Norman Skogman of Foster City; three siblings, Beth (Mike) Juneau of Foster City; Douglas (JoAnn) Skogman of Laingsburg, Michigan; and Amy (Jeff) Cousineau of Fordville; brothers-in-law Will Thoune of Sagola; Jim Thoune of Foster City; Mike (Deana) Thoune of Felch; his beloved uncle/friend Ron Oman of Felch; numerous nieces and nephews that adored him, and many good friends.
Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley; a special niece, Marie Juneau; his father-in-law Willard Thoune, mother-in-law Margaret (Courtney) Dahn; and several aunts, uncles and friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 30 from 9 AM until 11 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church in Metropolitan. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM at the church with Pastor. Lee and Lori Liverance officiating. A private burial will be in the Foster City cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Kyle Skogman, Ryan, Jason & Philip Oman, Justin Sheppard and Corrie Grobler.
Condolences to the family of Richard Skogman may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com
The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.