Clark County District Court Judge Vernon L. Schreiber represented many things to the many different people he encountered in life — he was a father, husband, friend, colleague and mentor, to say the least.
But out of dozens of fond memories shared about him Saturday, there was a common theme: Schreiber will most be remembered for his kind soul and just application of the law.
Approximately 400 people gathered at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds in Ridgefield for a celebration of life to honor Schreiber, who died April 25 following complications from surgery. He was 74.
Prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, clerks, law enforcement officers, court interpreters, former court officials, family and friends were among those who attended the celebration.
District Court Judge Kelli E. Osler said that although Schreiber probably wouldn’t have liked to be the center of attention, there’s “no doubt he’d be working the room right now.”
Friends and colleagues described the judge, who served about 30 years on the bench, as a man of honor and integrity.
“He was just a great guy, an all around great guy,” said retired District Court Judge James Swanger, one of seven people asked to share words of remembrance.
Retired court Commissioner Jeff Witteman said Schreiber understood human frailty and whenever possible fostered rehabilitation in the therapeutic courts — specialty programs for substance abuse, veterans and mental health.
“He conducted himself with a set of core principles in mind,” Witteman said. “He was dignified, courteous and respectful.”
Camas police Chief Mitch Lackey said Schreiber made everyone he encountered feel special.
“He had a way of looking at people, listening, being patient,” Lackey said. “I can’t think of a better example of what a judge should be.”
And although Schreiber wasn’t a police officer, he was still considered to be a “cop’s cop,” said Vancouver police Detective Neal Martin. “Someone who embodies the characteristics and values of law enforcement at the highest level,” he said.
Schreiber was beloved and respected by many, but he also returned that respect to others, including the defendants who came before him in court, Clark County sheriff’s Deputy Chuck Kerr said.
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.
Schreiber was elected to the District Court bench in 1998 and before that had served as a District Court magistrate — now known as commissioner — for 11 years, handling traffic infractions and a range of other matters.
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 7 1/2 years, filling in when the sitting judge was unavailable.
Schreiber, who was born and raised in Portland, was a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and Northwest School of Law at Lewis & Clark College.
His decades of service did not go unnoticed Saturday.
Clark County Council Chair Marc Boldt thanked Schreiber’s family for the judge’s service and presented his wife, Pat Vichas, with a plaque.
During the open mic portion of the celebration, District Court Judge Chad Sleight said Schreiber was a big part of his professional life. He argued his first trial in front of Schreiber.
“And man was he patient. He probably saw a scared kid,” Sleight said. “He put me at ease.
“He’s going to live on in all of our careers and that’s going to make us all better,” he said.
Jodi Battan, Schreiber’s stepdaughter from a prior marriage, said that although he meant many different things to those in the judicial system, at home he was just dad.
“He worked hard, respected everybody and taught us to respect everybody,” she said. “He pushed us a little.”
Vichas said after the program that Schreiber always made time for people. That’s what she misses the most, she said tearing up, being able to talk with him.
Schreiber is survived by Vichas; his daughters from a former marriage, Kristin Schreiber Johnston and her husband, Danny; and Kerrie Schreiber Warner and her husband, Colin; and his grandchildren, Cole and Jake Johnston and Morgan Warner.
