Remembering The Giant Of Mortgage Technology

It is customary to say that we have lost a giant in our industry when someone of importance passes, but that doesn’t do my friend Roger Gudobba justice because he wasn’t just “a” giant in mortgage technology, he was “the” giant in mortgage technology. Yesterday Roger lost his battle with cancer. He was certainly a pioneer and a thought leader, but to many of us he was a great friend and so much more.

Roger coined the phrase “it’s all about the data” before it was trendy. Why? Because he believed it. It wasn’t just a slogan to him, it was where the mortgage industry needed to be. Today everyone realizes that he was right, but our industry is still working toward this end.

Beyond his tireless advocacy at VMP, Wolters Kluwer, CSi and MISMO, he was an advocate for people. He had a way of befriending you and helping you along personally as he was trying to help the industry along its path to digitization. Our hearts go out to his wife, children and grandchildren today.

For me, the son of a single mother, Roger wasn’t just a friend, he was a father figure. He taught me about this business and introduced me to everyone he knew. I am who I am and where I am because of Roger. When I told him that I was starting PROGRESS in Lending, he said okay, let’s get it going.

Roger touched so many people. For example, Tim Anderson, President, eMortgage Division at Evolve Mortgage Services says, “Today I lost a good friend. He wasn’t just my friend but was known and loved by many in the mortgage tech industry. There is an old saying that with friends you pick the family you want as opposed to the ones you are born into and have no choice.

“Roger Dennis Gudobba was born December 30th, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan. He lived a rich and full life of 83 years. We should all be so lucky. Like so many people who met him, we became fast and close friends,” Anderson continued. “Always there with a quick wit and joke while holding his traditional drink of Tito’s on the rocks to back it up. I learned a lot from him, mostly about how to treat people with kindness, dignity and respect and to enjoy life every day to its fullest. An avid golfer, he tapped in on his own terms and choice today on his final round here on Earth.

“You will be missed by more people than you’ll ever know my friend who were touched by your generosity, personality and kindness. You will be remembered for that spirit long after you are gone,” Anderson concluded. “Good-bye old friend, R.I.P.”