After Long Career in the Industry, Stan Rhodes Passes Away at 77
(Stan Rhodes, courtesy of the family)
Stan Rhodes, a long-time innovator and leader in the mortgage and banking industries, passed away on June 27 after a battle with illness. He was 77 and resided in Washtenaw County, Mich.
Rhodes was born in 1946 in Keyser, W.Va., and entered military service in 1965, serving as a combat helicopter pilot in Vietnam.
Rhodes ultimately achieved the U.S. Army rank of Warrant Officer-2 and was awarded the elite Distinguished Flying Cross from the U.S. Department of Defense.
After his service–and followed by some time flying cargo planes–Rhodes began working at First Savings Association of Ypsilanti, Mich., sparking a long career in the banking industry.
In addition to numerous other accomplishments, he was the guiding force and leader behind InterFirst Wholesale Mortgage Lending, and after events including an acquisition, led ABN AMRO Mortgage Group (AAMG) as President.
Rhodes pioneered various efforts, such as investments in technology and the acquisition of mortgage.com, which became an engine of growth for AAMG.
Rhodes retired in 2007. In retirement, Rhodes remained active in the industry via various professional organizations, enjoyed spending time with his family and dogs, and pursued varied hobbies including history, aeronautics and cooking.
Rhodes will be deeply missed by many in the industry.
“I was privileged to know Stan as an industry colleague and friend for several decades,” said MBA’s President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB. “His business acumen and keen vision were eclipsed only by his warmth and grace as a person. He was one of the greats in our industry, and we will miss him acutely.”
“Stan was a great mortgage banker and an even better leader and person. He helped me immeasurably in my career–words that can be said by many, many others as well. He will be missed by all,” said Willie Newman, Principal at Willow Canyon Advisors.
“He changed my life, primarily by having confidence in what we built at mortgage.com despite the ‘dot bomb’ blow up,” said Garth Graham, Senior Partner at STRATMOR. Rhodes “saw the opportunity not the obstacles, and focused on the people and the relationships,” Graham recalled.
“I have also said he changed my life by believing in me,” shared Maria Fregosi, Executive Vice President of Operations at Lennar Mortgage. She recalled his drive to talk with and listen to people. “He learned so much about the company and what needed to be done by listening,” she said.
Rhodes is survived by his wife, Christine Conner; his daughter, Tracy Rhodes and her husband, Curtis; his sister, Ellen Sisk and her husband Donald; four dogs, and countless devoted family, friends, admirers and the numerous colleagues that he mentored.
A gathering of life is planned for the fall, and the obituary includes a request that contributions in his name be made to any local no-kill animal shelters or Humane Societies.
