Charles Robert Erbe Obituary

Charles Robert Erbe, 81, of Frackville, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025, surrounded by loved ones, following a courageous battle with metastatic cancer.

A man of many talents, Charles built a successful business, drawing on his expertise from roles at Boeing and Southco Inc., where he excelled as a salesperson, procurement specialist, and project manager.

His love for the sea, sparked during his U.S. Coast Guard service in the early 1960s, fueled a lifelong passion for fishing, boating, and coastal retreats. Known for his warm laugh and storytelling flair, Charles often shared tales of his adventures. His commitment to service shone through in his volunteer work, whether coaching Special Olympics, dedicating countless hours as a first responder for the National Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Program (part of NOAA's National Marine Mammal Stranding Response Network), or delighting children as Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny at 3 Palms Zoo.

Charles was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Winifred Ellen Erbe, on December 11, 2022. He is survived by his son, Thomas Erbe (Keri), and their daughter, Megan, of Lewes, DE; his daughter, Laura Lynn (James Fink) of Aldan, PA; Fred Thornton (Jill), and their son, Conner (Elizabeth), of Moncks Corner, SC; his sisters, Anna Mae Desper and Lenore King; his sister-in-law, Judy Snyder; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the National Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Program https://aqua.org/support/donate or 3 Palms Zoo https://3palmszoo.org/donate/ two causes close to Charles's heart