Steve was born in 1945 to Willard and Vance Campbell. He lived in Waterloo Nebraska where he graduated from Waterloo High School. He worked at Valmont Industries for a short time and decided to go to college. He attended Wayne State College in Nebraska. He taught for one semester at Bellevue High School before he decided to be a self-employed electrician.

Steve was a member of the Waterloo Village Board where he served as Mayor. He was an active member of Waterloo Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department when he died as the result of a rescue squad train accident on July 12, 1979.

Steve was survived by his wife, Mary, and his only child, Sarah Jane, who was born 3 weeks after his death. He was also survived by two brothers, Stu and Al Campbell.