In Dr. Kloberdanz’ retirement, he has written two “river novels” that include, not surprisingly, a great deal of regional folklore.

One Day on the River Red, is the first in a series of fictional books Kloberdanz is writing a series of the “Legendary Rivers of the American West.” In fact, some of Kloberdanz’s friends refer to him as “The River Writer.” “I’m not sure about that nickname,” says Kloberdanz. “It sounds too much like ‘The River Rider.’ But if it means I like writing about rivers, then I’m okay with it.”

The novella, One Day on the River Red, opens with a widower who stands on the banks of the Red River of the North. The old man contemplates the mysteries of life and death. His name is Raymond O. Knutson and he lives in Fargo, North Dakota. The old man does not realize it, but he is about to experience the most extraordinary day of his entire life.

His proceeding novel, Once Upon the River Platte, the second book of the series, environmental crisis in the Platte River Valley of eastern Nebraska. The crisis takes place in the not-too-distant future, possibly in the 2020s. In addition to scorching temperatures, prairie fires, and water shortages, there is yet another problem: “heat-crazy” wild animals are attacking humans in many parts of the Platte River Valley. Within only a few weeks, the death toll begins to soar.

In addition to scorching temperatures, prairie fires, and water shortages, there is yet another problem: “heat-crazy” wild animals are attacking humans in many parts of the Platte River Valley. Within only a few weeks, the death toll begins to soar.