Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 30, 1919, Sarbacher graduated from Temple University in 1942. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served from January 1942 to January 1947. Commissioned a lieutenant and later a captain, he served overseas in the Southwest Pacific for two and a half years.
Public service career
While serving on active duty in the Marines, Sarbacher ran for a seat in the United States Congress. He was elected in 1946 as a Republican to the 80th Congress, but was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1948 and 1950.