Robert Snodgrass, Founder of 7 Dees Nursery Dies

PORTLAND, Ore. – Robert Snodgrass, founder of Portland, Ore.-based 7 Dees Nursery, died Sept. 20 at 87, The Oregonian reported Friday. Snodgrass started the company in 1956 and named it after his seven children – Daryle, Dennis, Drake, David, Dan, Drew and Dean.

Snodgrass eventually expanded the nursery into three retail garden centers and four wholesale stores in the Portland area. In 1975, Snodgrass’ two oldest sons, Dennis and Drake, took over the business and formed two separate companies, Dennis’ Seven Dees Landscaping and Drake’s Seven Dees Landscaping, according to David Snodgrass.

In 1977, David, Drew and Dean bought the landscape division from Dennis. Snodgrass was president of the Landscape Gardeners Association, the Oregon Association, the Oregon Association of Nurserymen and the local chapter of the American Association of Nurserymen, The Oregonian reported.