Herbert John Schneider was born July 5, 1926 in Kitchener, Ontario to Norman and Ethel Schneider. Educated in local public schools he graduated from the Ontario Agricultural College in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. He was married to Betty Ruppel on October 6, 1949 with whom he four children: Gretchen Ann, Eric Norman, Nancy Beth, and Michael Kurt.

Schneider joined J.M. Schneider Inc. in 1948 holding the positions of Production Supervisor and Plant Superintendent, and becoming Vice-President of Personnel and Public Relations, Vice-President and Vice Chairman of Schneider Corporation. He jointed the Board of Directors in 1952 and served as a member until 1997 when he retired as Chairman.

Over the course of his career he was Chairman of the Public Affairs and Marketing Committee of the Canadian Meat Council and a trustee of the National Institute of Nutrition. He was served as councillor for Waterloo Township, member of the Waterloo County Area Planning Board, Pine Grove Community Association, the K-W YMCA Board of Directors, the Vice-President of K-W Oktoberfest, and Chairman of the Town and Country Dinner. He has also served as President of the Board of Directors of the Church of the Good Shepherd (Swedenborgian).

Schneider died suddenly on January 29, 2006.