Longtime eastern Oregon lawyer and former bar leader Bill Schroeder of Boise, formerly of Vale, Ore., died Oct. 20, 2015, of heart failure. He was 87. William Frederick Schroeder was born in Chicago on Sept. 25, 1928. He grew up in the Windy City and at 20 years of age, graduated from the University of Chicago and Valparaiso University School of Law. In 1950, he married Alberta Wienhorst. The same year, he was admitted to the Illinois State Bar, where he remained a member for many years. He later moved to Vale and was Schroeder was considered a legal expert and litigator in public lands, water law and mining resource issues. His writings and speaking engagements before resource organizations, colleges and universities spanned more than half a century. His expertise and insight in the role and scope of administrative governmental agencies and the interpretation and application of various federal and state laws affecting the use of natural resources ran from the date of passage or agency establishment to current regulation. He was a member of the Vale School Board and the charter board of Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario. Other community service included the city of Vale and Malheur County boards and as scoutmaster for a local Boy Scout troop. As his law practice allowed over time, he and Alberta enjoyed traveling the U.S. and many foreign countries. Alberta, his wife of 65 years, survives, along with their six children, 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. |
