Mark Haines

Veteran journalist Mark Haines, a fixture on CNBC for 22 years, died unexpectedly Tuesday evening. He was 65 years old.

Haines, founding anchor of CNBC's morning show "Squawk Box," was co-anchor of the network's "Squawk on the Street" program, providing insight and commentary sometimes humorous and occasionally acerbic.

CNBC President Mark Hoffman called Haines a "building block" of the financial networks' programming. Hoffman said Haines died at his home.

"With his searing wit, profound insight and piercing interview style, he was a constant and trusted presence in business news for more than 20 years," Hoffman said in a statement to CNBC employees. "From the dotcom bubble to the tragic events of 9/11 to the depths of the financial crisis, Mark was always the unflappable pro.

Haines was well-known around the newsroom for giving his colleagues on-air nicknames. He was responsible for calling David Faber "The Brain," Joe Kernen "The Kahuna" and Steve Liesman "The Professor." If a colleague every complained about it, he would respond, "What's worth more, your name or the nickname?"

Haines held a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and was a member of the New Jersey State Bar. In 2000, he was named to Brill’s Content’s "Influence List."

Haines we known for a lawyer-like determination to get at the truth, pressing guests for answers if they tried to avoid his questions. CNBC reporters and anchors remembered Haines holding them up to the same standard.

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Not surprisingly, all of the regulars are recalling Mark this morning.