Remembering a Mortgage Industry Legend: Kurt Pfotenhauer

The mortgage industry mourns Kurt Pfotenhauer, a long-time leader who passed away on Wednesday.

Pfotenhauer, executive vice president and vice chairman of First American Title Insurance Co., played many roles during his decades of service to the real estate finance sector. A former senior vice president with the Mortgage Bankers Association and former CEO of the American Land Title Association, he also served on MBA’s Board of Directors and the MBA Opens Doors Foundation’s Board of Directors. He previously chaired MBA’s political action committee, MORPAC, and served as chairman of the board of MISMO.

MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB, called Pfotenhauer an industry icon “and a friend and mentor to countless mortgage bankers.”

“He was an eloquent voice for the importance of what we do, and a man of deep and abiding faith,” Broeksmit added. “He leaves a void we all must aspire to fill.”

Rodrigo López, CMB, chairman of AmeriSphere Companies and MBA chairman in 2017, said that in the past few days, he and his wife Mary have shared many memories of a remarkable life. “Certain qualities consistently come to mind: his gracious spirit and unwavering positivity. Kurt had a gift for greeting others with a warm, genuine smile, and a sincere interest in their well-being. His joy for life was palpable, shining through in every interaction, and his love for Nancy was a beautiful reflection of his generous heart.”

López noted that as a colleague, Pfotenhauer was a thoughtful and strategic partner, and as a friend, he was a constant source of inspiration. “His deep faith and trust in God were a guiding force in his life, and his gratitude for each new day was a powerful witness,” he said. “I will always be grateful for the prayers and messages he sent my way during my own health struggles – a reminder of his selfless love and devotion. Kurt will be deeply missed, but his legacy of kindness, love, and faith will continue to inspire us all.”

Mark Seaton, CEO of First American Financial Corp., said everyone within the First American family of companies mourns Pfotenhauer’s passing. “Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Nancy, children and grandchildren,” he said. “Kurt will be remembered not only for his professional achievements, but also for the kindness and integrity he showed to everyone he encountered. His ability to connect with people and uplift those around him is a testament to who he was and the profound impact he made on so many. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”

MBA Senior Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs Bill Killmer said he always marveled at Pfotenhauer’s ability to take complex subject matter and distill it into discernible, “bite-sized” pieces that were well-suited for advancing policy priorities.

“Kurt also had an incredible knack for identifying talent and for building relationships and then helping other people advance their careers, not only inside the mortgage industry, but across all kinds of business and government relations work,” Killmer added. “One of Kurt’s enduring legacies will be all the people that look to him as helping to start them down their career path — including people at MBA and many other organizations.”

“Today, scores of people in the Washington community are remembering Kurt helping them to better understand mortgage- or title insurance-related policy, but — more importantly — for also helping them personally,” Killmer said. “And for the warm friendships that he nurtured and sustained with them.”

MBA Senior Vice President of Residential Policy and Strategic Industry Engagement Pete Mills remembered that he met Pfotenhauer in the early 2000s, “at a time when we were not always on the same page on some important issues to our industry. We developed a tremendous working relationship based on honesty, respect, trust and never any surprises.”

“I learned so much working with him that I have tried to apply ever since–never as well as Kurt, of course,” Mills added. “He was the same person to everyone he ever met, regardless of whether you were on the same side of an issue. Always with that innate grace, always authentic. I miss you, Kurt.”

Marcia Davies, who recently retired as MBA’s chief operating officer, called Pfotenhauer one of a kind. “Not only was he a powerful force in D.C. advocating for our industry, he was also an amazing father, husband, and friend. Anyone who was blessed to know him knows what a special man he was.”

Davies noted that Pfotenhauer was crucial to MBA adopting the Mid-Winter Housing Finance Conference, an invitation-only event that brings together senior executives from across the country to discuss the most pressing real estate finance issues.

“Kurt recognized the value of senior mortgage leaders getting together in person, so he and First American stepped up to become the event’s biggest sponsor, thus ensuring the conference’s success. We owe him a debt of gratitude,” Davies concluded.

Former MBA Chair Debra W. Still, CMB, serves as Chairman of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation. She noted that she knew Pfotenhauer for more than twenty years and always admired his “thoughtful and inspirational” leadership. “Kurt was a strategic thinker, always asking the right questions and helping others see the possibilities,” she said. “I cherish everything I’ve learned from Kurt from government affairs to charitable giving and will miss my friend and colleague immensely.”

Discussing Pfotenhauer’s decade-long service as a board member of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation, foundation president Deborah Dubois said he served with passion, integrity, kindness and generosity and he provided thoughtful, strategic guidance. “Kurt believed that the values we hold as real estate professionals mean we care about families in our communities, especially families caring for sick or injured children,” she said. “As we approach 20,000 families helped with mortgage and rental assistance, it is not lost on any of us that were it not for Kurt’s leadership and steadfast commitment to our mission, thousands of families might never have received the support they needed to stay in their homes.

“Kurt will be deeply missed, but his legacy will not be forgotten,” Dubois said.

Former MBA Senior Vice President Steve O’Connor worked closely with Pfotenhauer for years. “It was a privilege to work closely with Kurt, including side-by-side during his time at MBA,” he said. “While he was a gifted strategist and advocate, it was his spiritual depth that I admired. He lived his values.”

Pfotenhauer held a Master of Arts degree in Theology from Yale University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame.

The family plans a funeral service on Friday, Feb. 6 at 12:00 PM ET at the Christ Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The service will be followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 PM. The location for the Celebration of Life has not yet been finalized.