b'Fred and BarbaraDevoted parents and grandparents, Fred and Barbara Erbs philanthropy was strongly influenced by their desire to create a better world for both current and future generations.This desire, together with their experience as family business owners, aBarbara Erb was born in Detroit on April 17, 1924, as Barbara Jean Morley. shared love of nature and a deep sense of fairness and justice, led them toAs a young child, Barbara spent her summers in Bayfield, Ontario. Barbaras view their philanthropy through the lens of sustainabilitydevelopment thattime on the shores of Lake Huron instilled in her a lifelong love and respect harmonizes economic, environmental, and social interests, meeting the needsfor the Great Lakes and the natural environment, which would later influence of the present without compromising the needs of the future. her and Freds philanthropy.Born on February 11, 1923, in Detroit, Fred attended Cranbrook School inAn early environmentalist, Barbara was an organic gardener committed to Bloomfield Hills where he excelled in sports, music, science, and math. Innutrition and wholesome eating long before these issues became mainstream. 1942, Fred transferred from Cornell University to the University of MichiganShe practiced organic gardening, frequented the local farmers markets, where he met his wife Barbara. With the onset of World War II, Fred joinedtook her recyclables to the department of public works, and was known the Army Enlisted Reserve and was called to active duty in June 1943. Whilein every health food store in town. Always community minded, Barbaras stationed in Maryland he spent his weekends in New York City listening tophilanthropy included a broad array of organizations.jazz greats like Art Tatum, Billie Holiday, and Sidney Bechet, furthering whatAfter years of charitable giving, Fred and Barbara made their largest gift to would become a lifelong love of jazz. create the Frederick A. and Barbara M. Erb Institute for Global Sustainable After the war, Fred and Barbara married and Fred resumed his education.Enterprise, a joint masters degree program at the University of Michigan Shortly after graduation, Fred went to work for his uncles lumber and coalRoss School of Business and School for Environment and Sustainability business in Royal Oak. The business grew rapidly under Freds leadership,(formerly School of Natural Resources and Environment).and in the 1970s Erb Lumber became the largest lumber supplier inIn 2007, as parents and grandparents with a concern for the environment Michigan. Fred was also active in real estate development, often lendingand a love of the arts, Fred and Barbara established the Fred A. and Barbara money to new builders unable to access traditional financinga reflection ofM. Erb Family Foundation, with a mission of advancing an environmentally his entrepreneurial spirit. healthy and culturally vibrant metropolitan Detroit and a flourishing Great Lakes ecosystem. 26'