In Memory of French Caldwell

French Caldwell, our dear friend and colleague passed away on Thursday June 8th. I had known him for 23 years and in that time he became one of my most trusted & creative colleagues. He and his wife Patty (sorry Patty, you're taking this picture so not in it) became dear friends to me & my family. We went sailing with them in the Chesapeake on their boat, Topaz had candied bacon on a stick at their Yacht Club, visited Canterbury Cathedral, York Minster & the Cotswolds here in England. We saw wild horses on the beach near where the Caldwells have a home in North Carolina. We looked for but couldn't agree if we'd found the source of the Thames or not. I think we had a bit of an argument about it but ended up blaming it on Google Earth. In any case, it was fun.

No one who met French ever forgot him & even though he left Gartner in 2014, he still had many connections here. Like Madonna, he was simply French, no last name needed. He left Gartner, but he never did retire, or for that matter, slow down. He had his own consultancy, worked for a couple of GRC vendors and got a PhD in his late 60s. In an era that seems to discount men and masculinity, he was a an embodiment of what is best in men, best in people: the desire to protect and provide, to serve others with purpose, to be a loyal friend, good husband & father and someone, no matter how much he was getting done - and he got a lot done – he always had time to spend with others and enjoy life.?

His was a life well lived & his wife Patty, his four children, his siblings and his many friends have a huge stock of stories about this man and his accomplishments.?There is no one else like French Caldwell & he left pieces of himself behind, the people he advised professionally, the children he raised, his wife of many years, Patty & all of his friends & fellow Naval officers and colleagues.?He was (maybe) tiny bit cantankerous on occasion but mostly generous and kind, intelligent and insightful, trustworthy and supportive. He was a superstar GRC and security analyst. It was a great privilege to know him.

There will be a service at The Church of the Little Flower in Bethesda Maryland on Friday June 23rd, with a viewing at 10:30 to noon, followed by mass and a reception at Clyde’s restaurant from 2 until 5.?The burial will take place in Arlington National Cemetery, as French was a veteran Naval Officer.?The date is not yet set.

Send me a message here or at Gartner if you would like any more information.