Herman Bernard "Barney" Schoenberger

Herman Bernard “Barney” Schoenberger, former Sheriff, Assessor and State Representative from Plaquemines Parish departed this life on December 1, 2016, in Buras, LA. He was 90 years old. Husband of Jo Ann Brandon for 69 years and father of Bonnie Jo S. Thomas (son-in-law, Robert L. Thomas) and grandfather of Robert S. “Schoeny” Thomas (Fiance-Brittain Brown). Son of the late Nellie B. Schoenberger and Herman A. Schoenberger. Barney was a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Harbor Catholic Church in Buras and more recently St. Ann Catholic Church in Empire.
Mr. Schoenberger spent his entire life in Buras. He graduated from Buras High School in 1942 and then enrolled in Tulane University where he obtained a law degree from Tulane Law School at 20 years of age. He was the youngest law graduate from Tulane at that time. After graduating from law school Schoenberger had to wait a year to meet the minimum age requirement to be admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 1947. Schoenberger then started his own law firm in Buras. In 1959, he was elected State Representative from Plaquemines Parish, a position he held until 1967, when he was elected Assessor. In 1969, he was elected Sheriff of Plaquemines Parish and served as Sheriff for 15 years, the last two terms being elected without opposition. He served on the Legislative Committee and Board of Directors for Louisiana Sheriff’s Association. After serving as Sheriff, he served as Plaquemines Parish Administrator and Legislative consultant for a number of years.
Schoenberger was always active in the Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival being one of the organizers in 1946 and prepared the first charter in 1947. He served on the Board of Directors and as Secretary-General Manager for a number of years. He was selected Orange King in 1961.
During his years of public service he actively supported and handled legislation to assist in laying the Parish’s financial structure, particularly pertaining to the Royalty Road Fund and Levee District matters which accounted for about 50% of the Parish Revenues. He helped enact legislation creating the Commission Council form of government.
In 1972, while serving as Sheriff, he was extremely active with other sheriffs in drafting legislation creating a fund for Supplemental Pay for Deputy Sheriff’s. During his professional life, except for the years he served as sheriff, he was very active in the practice of law.
Among his colleagues and citizens of Plaquemines Parish, because of his integrity, he was often referred to as “Mr. Clean”. During his lifetime Barney was known as a great orator. He enjoyed making many speeches for the Lions Clubs, Fire Departments, graduations, and many political gatherings.
Both of Barney’s grandfathers served as presidents of the Plaquemines Parish Police Jury. His grandfather, George Schoenberger, helped to pioneer the citrus industry in Plaquemines Parish and Barney, like his father, were some of the largest citrus growers in the parish under the family’s Honey Brand Label.
Schoenberger was on the Board of Directors of the Delta Bank and Trust Company for many years and also served and participated in the following organizations: Member and past Secretary & Vice-President of the 25th Judicial District Bar Association, Charter Member of the Buras Fire Department, served as President and Secretary of the Parish Baseball League; Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Past President of the Holy Name Society, Past President of the Plaquemines Lions Club, Co-Chairman of the Plaquemines District Finance Committee for the Boy Scouts, member of Elks Club, Empire Citizens Organization, Public Affairs Research Council, Chamber of Commerce, member of Peace Officers Association and member of the national Sheriff’s Association.
He was a public servant extraordinaire and also one who never refused assistance to anyone. His life was truly devoted to the people of Plaquemines Parish whom he loved dearly.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Dixie Fremim D’Angelo for her caring assistance.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to be held at MOTHE FUNERAL HOME, 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, LA on Tuesday, December 6 , 2016 from 10 AM until 2:30PM followed by a Funeral Mass at 2:30PM at the funeral home. Internment will be at Nairn Cemetery, Nairn, Louisiana.