Steve was born to William & Louise (Baker) Braun in Cleveland, Ohio on November 3rd, 1942. A devout Christian, Stephen was raised in the Catholic Church and proudly graduated from both St. Edward's High School and Xavier University in Ohio. With his passion for education, Steve obtained an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson in 1976 and a Ph.D. from Portland State in 2007.
After college in 1964, he joined the United States Navy. He served for 3 years in active duty, reaching the rank of full lieutenant, and was awarded a bronze star. He married Pam Martin and had his first son, Todd, before their divorce. He then began a career with Northwest Airlines in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he met his wife of 41 years, Retta Kriefall. The two were married in 1974. After moving to New York to work as the Vice President for Inflight Motion Pictures, the Brauns had their daughter Elizabeth in 1976. Shortly thereafter, the trio moved to Portland, Oregon, where their son, Christopher, was born in 1978. Steve worked as an executive for several Portland companies before becoming the founder and CEO of Computer Systems Supply Ware in 1985. Steve went on to have a lengthy career with Concordia University, Portland, where he served in many roles including President of the Concordia Foundation and Founder and Dean of the School of Management. His career spanned from 1987 until his retirement in 2013.
Steve loved to spend time with his family and friends, where his gregarious personality and generous nature were on display. He had a life-long enthusiasm for golf, reading, volunteerism, and immersing himself in the local and national business community. He is survived by his children Todd, Elizabeth, Christopher, his granddaughter Blue, and his sister Constance.
A memorial service for Steve will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 1:00 PM at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 6700 NE 29th Ave, Portland, OR 97211.
Your fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.finleysunsethills.com for the Braun family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17