He was born in Trondheim, and graduated in machine engineering from the Norwegian Institute of Technology in 1960.
He remained in Trondheim as a researcher until working for Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk from 1967 to 1975.
The company then merged to form Storebrand-Norden, and Schjerve became deputy chief executive.
[2] He died after less than a month in the job, on 24 September 1985 and was buried on Vestre gravlund.
[3] He was first succeeded as company leader by the senior management, consisting of four people.