Clark County District Court Judge Vernon L. Schreiber, who served about 30 years on the bench, died Tuesday. He was 74 years old.
Schreiber had been on medical leave from the court since Feb. 13, Presiding District Court Judge Kelli E. Osler said Wednesday morning.
She said that Schreiber will be remembered among his peers as friendly and helpful. He was always willing to fill in for anyone when needed.
“He’s been a mainstay. … I really can’t think of a better word,” Osler said. “He’s really going to be missed around here. He was a valuable part of our family.”
While on the bench, Schreiber developed the Driver’s License Restoration Program. He was involved in the Neighborhood Outreach and Judges in the Classroom programs, as well as various other community groups, which included sitting on the board for the Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program.
On Wednesday morning, District Court Judge Chad Sleight presided over Schreiber’s court and said the atmosphere was somber.
“Everybody was really broken up. I had trouble holding it together. I can’t believe I’m not going to get to talk to him again or see him,” he said.
“He was very gracious on the bench, very nice to the people in front of him. He was never sarcastic or lost his temper at things. He allowed so many young interns, prosecutors and defense attorneys to figure out what they are doing, in a very supportive place,” Sleight said.
Before the docket started, defense attorney Andrew Wheeler shared a few words.
“I really felt like we couldn’t do business as usual, call the first case and continue on like nothing happened. We had to acknowledge we lost a true gentleman in the courthouse and the legal field with his passing,” Wheeler said in a phone interview.
“(Schreiber) brought a real sense of collegiality to the courts. He was such a kind man,” he said. “The court process can be adversarial … he brought commonality and humanity to what we are doing. He truly loved his job. He was doing exactly what he wanted to do, exactly where he wanted to do it.”
Schreiber was a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and Northwest School of Law at Lewis & Clark College. Prior to taking the bench, he worked in private practice in Clark County for about 15 years. He initially served as a pro tem judge in District Court for 7½ years, filling in when the sitting judge was unavailable.
He became a District Court magistrate in 1987, handling traffic infractions and a range of other matters — criminal arraignments, small-claims cases and hearings on anti-harassment orders. He was elected to the District Court bench in 1998.
Osler said the court has been doing its best to fill in for Schreiber in his absence. The Clark County council will decide how to proceed in filling his seat; his term ends in 2018.
“Vern was so much more than his position on the bench,” said Shirley Patterson-Wallace, whose husband was friends with Schreiber for a number of years. “Not only was Vern an excellent judge whose wisdom was fair but also firm, he was one of the (kindest), good-hearted individuals one could possibly hope to meet. It mattered not one’s social standing in life; Vern treated everyone with dignity.
“There are a lot of brokenhearted family members, friends and associates who will have a big void in their lives for a long time to come due to his loss,” Patterson-Wallace wrote in an email. “Go with God, my friend.”
As news of Schreiber’s death spread Wednesday, people he encountered throughout his life and career took to Facebook to share their condolences.
“I had the pleasure (of) working for Vern in District Court. He was a terrific man, very caring, loved his community, especially working with the youth. I will always remember his big heart and infectious smile. May his family find comfort knowing the angels opened their arms for you, and that you are smiling down on all of us!” Pamela Dykstra wrote.
Darline Salinas described Schreiber as a great friend, judge and man. “You loved those ties and your car, but most of all your wife. You helped many. And I learned a lot from you,” she wrote.
Helen Hayden said that she was honored to be married by Schreiber. “Vern was a people person and a great motivation to help people with addictions choose a different path,” she wrote.
Portland’s Omega Funeral & Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.
Reporter Emily Gillespie contributed to this story.
