Stephen (Steve) Fred Butterfield, 65, died on April 16, 2018. Steve entered ASU in 1970 and graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration. His career spanning more than 35 years included work in investment banking, capital markets and municipal finance, but it was his work in the student loan industry that propelled his career in the direction of his dreams. In 1990, Steve and business partner, Mike Dunlap started to acquire student loans portfolios together and in 1996 they co-founded Nelnet with a vision that it would become a world-class business designed to help students and families plan and pay for their education making their educational dreams possible. In 2003, they took the company public on The New York Stock Exchange. In 2007 Steve retired from Nelnet, but continued as vice chairman and shareholder. Steve’s love of ASU football and Sun Devil Athletics drew him to a leadership role within the Sun Devil Club. His most recent passion project was serving as co-chairman of the Club's recent Sun Devil Stadium fundraising effort. His love of the game helped drive the strong culture of giving within Sun Devil Athletics and was backed by personal investments that he ensured funded specific programs. Steve is survived by his wife, Shelby, three sons, a daughter, three grandchildren and a brother. A Memorial Service and reception will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at Paradise Valley Country Club, 7101 N. Tatum Blvd, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Butterfield Family Scholarship Fund, care of Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association, 1300 North Plum, Hutchinson, KS, 67501 or online at Hutchinson Commnity College Endowment Association . (Source: Arizona Republic)