Stephen David Blum passed away on Tuesday May 17th in Irvine, CA. Born to Cydelle and Allen Blum in New York City in 1943 Stephen grew up on Long Island but later returned to New York City where he earned both his Bachelor's (NYU) and Master's (Fordham) degrees. After graduate studies a career in government followed which included senior staff roles for Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller first while Governor of New York and then later during the Rockefeller Vice Presidency. Transitioning to the private sector Stephen held senior executive roles at Chiquita Banana, Campbell Soup Company, Quaker State Corporation, JCPenny Company and Dial Corporation.

After retiring from the private sector Stephen pursued a second career in academia. Initially at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, Stephen later taught at the University of Nevada's College of Business in Reno, NV before spending nearly a decade at the Fowler College of Business at San Diego State University.

Active in community life and the organizations he was connected to Stephen was an elected member of the Medford Township (NJ) Board of Education, a trustee at St Joseph's Preparatory School School in Philadelphia, PA, a Vice Chairman of the Phoenix Economic Development Authority, a Western Region Trustee for the Jewish National Fund and was a Chairman for the Finance Advisory Board at the Fowler College of Business at San Diego State University. Stephen proudly served in the US Army Reserve.

Stephen is survived by sons Joshua and Micah, his brother Richard, his niece Lara as well as his beloved grandsons and extended family.