Robert E. Boertien: Bringing Oregon History to Life

Meet Robert (Bob) Boertien, an author whose literary work captures the frontier spirit of Oregon. Bob and his wife Kris have called “the mountain” home for 14 years, it being a community that has long been a haven for artists and writers.
Bob, a retired law enforcement officer, has published three western novels, with a fourth to be released next year. He is currently working on book five. We met recently on a comfortably cool morning at his home in Welches, chatting beneath a gazebo in his backyard.
Bob’s origins trace back to a small farm near the Canadian border where his youth was shaped by farm chores and tending to horses and cattle, and he developed a deep connection with nature. These formative experiences would later weave their way into his novels, bringing the memories of childhood back to life through his books.
“I started with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s office right out of graduation from Washington State,” he says, “and then went to school part-time and got a master’s degree from the University of Portland.”
During his years with the sheriff’s department, he began writing non-fiction, selling articles about innovative policing programs and search-and-rescue planning techniques to law enforcement trade journals.
“When I retired from law enforcement I figured I’d try my hand at writing a novel. I penned my first western and submitted it to a publishing house that specialized exclusively in westerns. They were impressed and offered me a contract for five books.”
His western novels are unique, set in Oregon in the early 1900s, centered around compelling crime investigations and mysteries. Well-researched and rich with local history, his books feature vibrant, lifelike characters. Most notably, the women in his books are strong, independent, and play prominent roles in the storylines.
Bob’s passion for Oregon history is clear. “You know, one of the scenes takes place at the gold mine on Huckleberry Mountain. And there’s mention of a war between the sheep-men and the cattlemen in Central Oregon that occurred in early 1900. I use the history to enhance my stories.”
“I truly enjoy writing western novels, but I am also determined to do my small part to preserve and promote this genre, with the hope that my books will appeal to a wider demographic.” As his contract with this publisher comes to a close, Bob reflects that the fifth book will likely be the last in this series. “I will miss these characters,” he admits, “and will have a hard time saying goodbye.”
Bob has also written spiritually themed pieces for Upper Room magazine, often drawing inspiration from his work with the seniors he encounters regularly. Some readers may recognize Bob as the Meals on Wheels guy for the Hoodland Senior Center. He has also served on its board. “The seniors living up here are amazing people! I enjoy working with them. They have such great stories to tell.”
Bob and wife Kris take daily walks along the Salmon River. “I have found this beautiful setting to be very conducive to creativity, and the history associated with this region to be fascinating.”
A rather unique bumper sticker on his car reads, “Western Writers: saving the American West one story at a time,” encapsulates Bob’s dedication to preserving the legacy of the American West through his storytelling.