Longtime Howell community booster Roger Dresden dies

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Roger Dresden

Roger Dresden, a longtime Howell community booster who died Saturday following a battle with cancer, is being remembered for his many contributions to the community, including conducting the musical events of the Livingston Arts Council.

“He was a driving force behind our musical programming, never compromising on the quality of the entertainment that we provided to Livingston County through Acoustic Cafe, Concerts at the Courthouse, and our many comedy events and Holiday concerts,” said Blythe Patterson, president of the Livingston Arts Council.

Dresden approached his work with the LAC based on these three pillars, Patterson said: To present quality performances to the community. Second; to promote awareness of the LAC mission and its mission to restore the Opera House; and, third, make sure the programs were cost-effective for the LAC.

“He had an acerbic wit, which I loved, and he was not afraid to state his mind, something I also appreciated,” Patterson said. “You always knew where you stood with Roger.”

The second and third generations of Dresdens at Scully-Monroe are, left to right, Roger Dresden, Matthew Dresden, Joanna Dresden (seated), and Nancy LewAllen Dresden.

A talented, self-taught musician who played rock ’n’ roll for over 50 years, Dresden was part of the family owned Scully-Monroe Insurance Agency in Howell, which celebrated being in business 100 years in 2019.

Dresden originally joined the Howell Area Arts Council in 1998, in part to work on preserving the Historic Howell Theater as a movie-house. During a community festival, he saw a band perform at the courthouse.

“I thought, why can’t we (the Howell Area Arts Council) do that?” he said.

And so it was that Dresden proposed Concerts at the Courthouse to the Howell Area Arts Council, and the popular summer event was born. It celebrated two decades of providing quality musical entertainment in 2018. You can read our interview with Dresden on the anniversary by clicking here.

Eight years later, in 2006, the HAAC merged with the Livingston Arts Council, and Concerts at the Courthouse became a program of the Livingston Arts Council, with Dresden continuing to conduct the free, family- and pet-friendly series.

“Roger’s passions, including the performing arts and education, made Howell and Livingston County a better place to live, work and prosper,” said Brent Earl, who worked with Dresden on the LAC. “He will be missed by so many.”

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The Livingston Post is the only locally owned, all-digital information and opinion site in Livingston County, Mich. It was launched by award-winning journalists who were laid off from the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus by Gannett Co. Inc. in 2009.

8 Comments

  1. Roger was a kind man. He volunteered many hours for Howell schools to make them a better place for our kids. He always put them first. Rest peacefully.

  2. We are very sad today! We will miss our dear friend Roger. He was a man bursting with music….right from his heart. He loved folk music,; he loved the New Christy Minstrels; he loved Jackie; he really loved ‘Green Green; and he loved my dogs Cooper and Ollie. We have always enjoyed performing at the Howell Opera House…and the support Roger gave us! R.I.P. our dear friend….we have been blessed to have known you!
    Jackie Davidson and Gary Brandt

  3. Roger was among many fine men and women who helped Perry Drug Stores grow into a large chain. It could have only achieved success by great dedicated folks like Roger. Until we meet again, God bless you, Roger and your family!

  4. I knew the boy. We lived on the same block in Royal Oak in the early 60’s. Our birthdays were 3 days apart. Time and distance intervened so I never got to know the man. I am grateful to read of his adult accomplishments and the love and respect from the community which meant so much to him. My sincere condolences to his family. He will always remain a touchstone of my youth.

  5. My heart hurts so bad. We had such incredible times. He understood the brain of a musician, the passion of a musician’s heart, and the importance of sharing that with community. I can’t imagine him not introducing me at Howell Opera House. I can’t stop crying.

  6. Knew Roger from his school days in Rockford , Mich. We chatted music often on the Internet. He will be missed.

  7. Wow, Rogers son Matt and I went to school together. Roger was a familiar face for our class. He always volunteered to help out. Looking back, he’s one of the first examples I can remember of meeting a genuinely good and outgoing person. No gimmicks, no trade offs, he was just kind for the sake of being kind. Thank you Roger. You’ll be missed.

  8. Roger, a man with a huge heart, who made you feel important every time you were with him. I can not think of Roger without thinking of his lovely wife, Nancy. Thank you both for your friendship.

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