Vance Eric Boelts Jr.

In Loving Memory of Vance Eric Boelts Jr
December 2, 1943 – August 1, 2025

Vance Boelts, a gentleman, scholar, cherished companion and compassionate citizen of the world, passed away peacefully, on August 1, 2025 surrounded by his family, leaving behind a vibrant legacy of curiosity, laughter, and quiet conviction. 

Vance was born to Margaret and Vance Boelts Sr. in the Commonwealth of Virginia on December 2, 1943 and raised on a farm in Nebraska. Vance’s early life shaped his values: hard work, humility, lifelong learning, and service. He carried those values with him across continents and decades, always grounded, always kind.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1967, where he was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity, he married the love of his life, Carolyn—his perfect travel partner, confidante, and, in his words, someone who could “never do any wrong.” His first Civilian Personnel job was with the Army Materiel Command at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Most of the 1970’s the family lived in Europe while Vance worked at the Civilian Personnel Office for the United States Army Europe in Heidelberg, Germany and then moved on to his first Civilian Personnel Officer job with the 8th Support Group at Camp Darby near Livorno, Italy. In 1978 the family moved to Portland where he was promoted to Civilian Personnel Officer for the Portland District Corps of Engineers. He was known as a thoughtful and principled leader, retiring in 2000 as Director of Human Resources for the Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division. His first post retirement activity was as a volunteer with Ride Connection, a part of the Red Cross. In 2004 he was inducted in the Portland District’s gallery of Distinguished Civilian Employees. He was proud of his Marine Corp Service and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, honoring his ancestry while advocating for a more just and equitable future.

Vance and Carolyn’s experience in Europe helped them gain an appreciation for other cultures and as result they have traveled the world. All the way from Machu Pichu and Ankor Wat to the Pyramids and Gobeleki Tepi in Turkey. One of the great things about travel is that you find out how many good and kind people there are in the world.  In preparation for a trip he would always bring home a stack of library books about a new destination. The knowledge gained from this reading helped him become more of a traveler and less of a tourist. 

He loved ideas as much as he loved people. Vance had a gift for welcoming conversation—whether over coffee or in a hot tub (where he was an enthusiastic aficionado). He had a sharp wit and never passed up the opportunity to share a good joke, a thoughtful story, or an obscure historical fact. He was active in yoga, bocce ball, and aqua aerobics..

He is survived by his beloved wife Carolyn; son Brant (Jen); his treasured grandson Brolin, his sisters Brenda Chapin (Charlie) and Nedra Smith (Hugh), sister-in-law Patricia Morse, and brother-in-law Robert Svoboda (Tamara), nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his favorite daughter Marnie Boelts, and his loving parents, Vance and Margaret Boelts.

Vance Boelts lived with purpose, passion, and principle. He leaves behind a better world for having been in it, and a great many of us better for having known him. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and appreciation for his family. Life is good. Semper Fi. Essayons.

Gifts to honor his memory can be sent in his name to the Salvation Army and Ankylosing Spondylitis Society. 

A celebration of life and private family memorial will take place at Touchmark West Hills October 26th at 2pm. 

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