Kurt Pfotenhauer, a longtime leader in the mortgage and title industry, has died, First American Financial said in a statement. He was executive vice president and vice chairman of the company.

"Kurt will be remembered not only for his professional achievements, but also for the kindness and integrity he showed to everyone he encountered," the statement from Mark Seaton, First American's CEO, said.

"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."

While First American did not disclose the cause of death, a LinkedIn post from Mark Malloy, CEO of Sage Home Loans said Pfotenhauer passed away on Jan. 21 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Pfotenhauer graduated from Notre Dame in 1982, his LinkedIn profile said. He would then go on to receive a Master of Arts in Religion for theology at Yale.

In 1997, Pfotenhauer became chief of staff for Sen. Gordon Smith, R.-Oregon. He would move on to the Mortgage Bankers Association in 2002 as senior vice president for policy and government affairs.

At the time of his passing, Pfotenhauer was on the MBA Board of Directors. He was also a member of the ICE Mortgage Services Board of Directors and the Housing Policy Council's executive committee.

Between 2007 and 2011, Pfotenhauer was the CEO of the American Land Title Association, before leaving the role to join First American.

"Kurt Pfotenhauer's impact on ALTA and the broader title insurance industry was transformational," current ALTA CEO Chris Morton said in a statement. "His passion for advocacy, his strategic vision during challenging market cycles and his deep belief in the value of title professionals and our industry helped shape ALTA into the strong, respected association it is today."

What Pfotenhauer did as the CEO of ALTA was profound for the organization, added Marx Sterbcow, a mortgage industry compliance attorney.

"He really catapulted the organization to record growth and really established national legitimacy," Sterbcow said.

Pfotenhauer was on a parallel path with another mortgage industry leader, the late Dave Stevens, the former Federal Housing Administration commissioner, who then went on to helm the MBA, he added.

Pfotenhauer "was widely respected throughout the entire mortgage industry," as well as on Capitol Hill and various state events, Sterbcow said.

"He commanded attention and people listened to him," Sterbcow said. "He was a very proud advocate of the industry."

Beyond his professional positions, Pfotenhauer was involved in multiple mortgage industry roles, including previously having chaired Merscorp, the MBA's political action committee (MORPAC) as well as the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO).

"Kurt was an industry icon, friend and mentor to countless mortgage bankers, an eloquent voice for the importance of what we do, and a man of deep and abiding faith," Bob Broeksmit, president and CEO of the MBA said in a statement. "He leaves a void we all must aspire to fill."

Pfotenhauer is survived by his wife Nancy, along with children and grandchildren, the First American statement said.

"Kurt's greatest joy came from his faith and family," Seaton said. "He often spoke of the love and pride he felt for his family, and this deep commitment was evident in all aspects of his life."