KIDWELL, Neil F.

Neil F. Kidwell, 60, was born on June 13, 1943 (his mother always insisted it wasn't a Friday) and died on December 23, 2003. Between these dates he, among other things, passed through childhood in Mineral Wells, TX, matriculated at the University of Texas in Austin where he earned both his undergraduate and MBA degrees. As a break from collegiate life Neil whiled away his time in the Air Force in a state of heightened boredom at the bottom of a nuclear missile silo during the heart of a cold war. His greatest impact came as a critical contributor to the success of the giant worldwide consulting firm, Accenture, formerly known as Andersen Consulting. After 28 years, primarily out of the Houston, Tulsa, and Toronto offices, service in over 20 countries on 5 continents, he retired as the Managing Partner of the Phoenix office. An avid fisherman and obsessed fan of the Texas Longhorn football team, he is survived by his daughter, Shelley Eckert, son-in-law Dave Eckert, 3 grandchildren: Mikayla, Cassidy, Kaitlin, and son Shane Kidwell, along with many more family and friends whom he loved in his own inimitable way. Services will be held Sunday on January 4, 2004, at Baum-Carlock Funeral Home in Mineral Wells, TX. In addition, a memorial is scheduled for Friday, January 9 at Harold's Wild West Saloon in Carefree, AZ, north of Phoenix. In the words of a friend, "he was a study in contradictions. He is the only person I've known who could simultaneously come off as gruff and elegant, profane and urbane, insulting and charming." He leaves a huge chasm in the hearts of his family and friends. He will be missed. Published in the Arizona Republic on 1/3/2004.