Edward O Robertson

Edward O. Robertson, age 79, passed away on February 2, 2021, at his home in Turner, Oregon. Ed was born in Salem, Oregon, to Albert and Luella Robertson. He was raised on the family farm in Turner, Oregon, along with his two younger siblings, Dennis and Patricia. Ed loved horses all his life. As a child, he spent two summers picking strawberries alongside his little sister Pat to earn enough money to buy his first horse. He was always the cowboy of the family. He graduated from Cascade High School in 1959, and married his high school sweetheart, Carmay, with whom he had four children: Debbie, Lori, Robin and Brian. Ed joined the U.S. Army in 1966 and served in combat during the Vietnam War. After his discharge, he returned home to Oregon for a few years. He eventually rejoined the Army and continued to serve his country for the next 20 years in many postings around the U.S. and overseas. In the Army, Ed found his calling as a combat medic, and he rose in the ranks to become a decorated NCO. He was immensely proud of both his military service and his family. While he was still serving in Vietnam, Ed’s aunt Doris wrote to him and suggested he might enjoy being penpals with a young lady she knew named Sandria. Ed and Sandria began exchanging letters, and a relationship blossomed. After returning to the states, he met and married Sandria, and became stepfather to her young daughter, Liesa. Together, Ed and Sandria had one son, Sean, whom they raised on a farm of their own, along with many horses, dogs and other animals. Together, they were also foster parents to over 70 foster children who they loved and nurtured over the years. Ed’s love of horses was a constant in his life, even while he was stationed overseas. As a member of the European Rodeo Association, made up of military members serving in the European theater, Ed rode and performed in rodeo events all over Europe in the 1970s, including one notable event before the Queen of Holland and other dignitaries. Ed was demonstrating reining and cutting maneuvers on his horse, but it quickly turned into a trick riding demonstration, showing off moves the Queen and her guests had only seen before in Western movies. After retiring from the Army, Ed worked for many years as a farrier. Although he was self-taught, he quickly became an expert at horse shoeing, and was respected as one of the very best farriers in the area. Ed also maintained his farm where he raised and bred American Quarter Horses. He was a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He was also a staunch conservative, with strong political opinions and an earnest sense of responsibility to his country. Ed was preceded in death by his father: Albert, his first wife: Carmay, daughter: Robin, son: Brian, and brother: Denny. He is survived by his mother: Luella, sister: Pat, wife: Sandria, children: Debbie, Lori, Liesa, and Sean, 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He will be missed immensely by those who loved him and had their lives enriched by his presence. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions made to the United Service Organizations (USO) or Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America (OPVA), in honor of Ed’s longstanding commitment to service in the armed forces.