Erbe was born inBoone, Iowa. He served as an infantry officer in theUnited States Armyfrom 1941 to 1943. He then transferred to theUnited States Army Air Corpsas a pilot, spending the rest ofWorld War IIas a pilot. After the war, he studied at theUniversity of Iowa, obtaining alaw degreein 1947. He entered state politics, serving asIowa Attorney Generalfrom 1957 to 1961 before succeedingHerschel C. Lovelessas Governor. In the 1962 election he was defeated for re-election byHarold E. Hughes. He hosted the world premier of the motion pictureMeredith Willson'sThe Music Man (1962 film)in Mason City, Iowa. After leaving politics, he served as Executive Vice-President of theAssociated Builders and Contractorsin 1979. He published his memoirs,Ringside at the Fireworks, in 1997. He died on June 8, 2000 and is buried in the Linwood Park cemetery inBoone, Iowa.