Steve Nachtsheim ‘63 dove into his high school experience. He planned dances, edited the yearbook, volunteered, and built sets for school plays. He found that he loved leading groups and taking on difficult projects.
“There was always something going on,” recalled his friend Chuck Evans from the Cretin Class of 1963. “Stephen’s creativity and positive attitude showed early as he was always game to try something new and innovative.”
After graduation, Steve earned a degree in business from St. Thomas and learned about computers during his time there. He quickly developed a love for them.
“I remember him stopping by with a computer in the back seat of his car that we could connect by handset to a pay phone and access various information,” Evans recalled. “This was unheard of in those days and while I was amazed, Steve relished every minute of it!”
He was teaching Computer Science courses while still a student, and then took a job with the Computing Center after earning his degree. He co-founded the Department of Quantitative Methods and Computer Science while still in his twenties, left St. Thomas to back packed around the world in 1972-73 and then returned to the University of Minnesota, where he earned an MBA and was a Director of the Academic and Research Computer Center and earned academic tenure.
In 1981, Steve joined a little-known company named Intel. He had many significant accomplishments during his time there, including serving as vice president and general manager of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He is a co-founder of the Bluetooth technology, holds three patents, and has written a textbook on computer technology. Steve joined the Board of Directors at Deluxe Corporation in 1995 becoming Lead Director and then Chairman from 2001 until 2013. After retiring from Intel in 2001 he had ample time to participate in activities with his daughter. He and Jami earned how to referee AYSO soccer; He also coached grade school basketball and softball. Steve has been a Trustee at the University of St. Thomas since 2003, was the elected to the Board of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District in 2009 ultimately becoming President. He currently also serves on the Board of the Woodside Priory School in California.
In addition to being a highly accomplished professional, Steve is also a beloved friend, who goes above and beyond for those he cares about.
“While I was in basic training in Louisiana,” said his Cretin Classmate Roger Neils, “he helped my wife through her Lamaze classes before the birth of our second child and drove her to the hospital for the delivery - even claiming to be the father so he could visit them in the hospital until I returned home!
Steve lives in Atherton, California with his wife Jami. They have one daughter who earned a Mechanical Engineering degree at Vanderbilt University and currently works for Lockheed-Martin in Fort Worth with responsibility for the hydraulics and Fluidics of the F35 Strike Fighter.
This award is presented annually to a distinguished Cretin alum in recognition of his outstanding service to the community and to Cretin-Derham Hall, and for his achievements in his profession exemplifying the highest and best traditions of Cretin High School. This award is presented in memory of the school's founder Bishop Joseph Cretin, the first Bishop of the Diocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.