October 13, 1929 ~ November 22, 2011
Resided in:
Indio, CA
Kindt, John Eldon, a six year resident of Indio, California, passed away on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 in Westminster. Born in Breckenridge, Oklahoma on October 13, 1929, John was 82 when he died.
John graduated from Garber High School in Oklahoma in 1947, and first came to California the following year. He enlisted in the Navy soon thereafter during the Korean War. Based in San Diego, he met Joan Reckewey in the summer of 1951 while on leave in the San Fernando Valley. They were married the following year, and resided in North Hollywood until John finished college at Woodbury College.
He then started a thirty year career with Arthur Andersen & Company, an international accounting firm, in their newly developing consulting division (called Administrative Services at the time). John gained a reputation as an office builder, and went from Los Angeles to Phoenix, then Johannesburg, South Africa and Singapore, and finally Indianapolis, Indiana. It was during this time that consulting at Arthur Andersen experienced such great growth, eventually becoming the single biggest endeavor of the firm. It branched off after John's retirement to become Andersen Consulting, and is today known as Accenture.
John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joan Kindt of Indio, CA; daughter, Debbe Kindt of Lake Tahoe, NV; daughter, Laurie Hancock of Fairfax, VA; and son, John Kindt Jr. of Torrance, CA. Also, grandchildren Matthew Aronson, Joshua Kindt, Olivia Kindt, Seren Kindt, and Amanda Kindt; sister Elaine Benson of Valencia, CA; brother Lynn Kindt of Yuma, AZ; and brother Dean Kindt of Indio, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Amanda and Eldo Kindt.
John was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, serving terms as the president of the congregation at First Lutheran, Van Nuys. He also served as a Rotarian after his retirement, and was an avid golfer. Most of all, he was committed to his family, from whom he received much love and will be deeply missed. They have the blessed assurance, however, that they will meet again in the presence of Jesus.
The Service will be held at Hope Chapel in Hermosa Beach on Thursday December 1, 2011 at 3:30 PM. Burial will take place in Forest Lawn, Long Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's name to Safe Harbor Maritime Academy (www.boyshome.com), in Jacksonville, Florida.
Guestbook
On behalf of the Garber High School Alumni, and the GHS Class of 1947, we extend our sympathy on the passing of John. Carobelle Janssen Carson, GHS Alumni – (my mother was Edna Helberg Janssen, John’s cousin) Would appreicate you sending an obit.
I was a manager in the Indianapolis office of Andersen Consulting when John came to be the Managing Partner. We worked together on some client jobs. I remember his good humor, encouragement and positive attitude. I have thought about him often over the years. I just wanted to express my sympathy to his family on his passing.
I have such fond memories of John and you and your family. John was a special man- goodness itself, encouraging to me in the formative years of my career and a true Andersen partner in the sense we used to know it My deep condolences to you and your family
I am a fellow Rotarian with your late father John. I probably knew him as well as anyone in the club. Last year when I was president I made him an honorary member. John was a member of the Paul Harris Society (PHS) within Rotary. That means he donated $1,000 a year to our projects which were all international for PHS members. One of the projects was for eye care in the Rift Valley of Kenya. I am donating $100 in John’s name to the 501c3 that supports this project. I was very fond of John; He had the “heart of a Rotarian.” I gave a brief eulogy for John at our meeting this morning My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Dear John and Family, Thank you for notifying the family of former First Lutheran of your father’s death. I will always remember how kind and considerate and special he was to Jerry and myself. A very special man has a special place in heaven, I am sure. Please email your address and also your mother’s address. I doubt that I will be able to attend the service, but would like to contact Joan. Thank you again, John and my sincerest sympathy on your loss. May God comfort you and your family, Sincerely, Marilyn Wegener
He was very good to us when we stayed in the cottage at 1 Cecil Avenue. He even offered us the large station wagon to go to the drive-in movies and when his famiily was out of town the three of us would head out for dinner on the town. Eric and Kate DuPlessis
I was sad to hear of the passing of your father. We missed him after he left Incline Village. He was a good Rotarian and a great supporter of the Rotary Foundation. I would like to mail a card to you and your family. Could you provide me with a mailing address? Sincerely, Jim O’Brien Foundation Chair Rotary Club Of tahoe -Incline
I considered John Eldon a true school friend. We lived on Highway 74 that went through Garber – his family on the SW corner and my family a block North on the NE corner. He was a very special person and everyone considered him their personal friend. He always had a wonderful smile that was genuine, oh my, he was a special guy. I am very heartbroken to hear of his death and trust that he is now in the arms of Jesus. The last time I spoke to him was at a reunion in Enid, OK, of the 1947 Garber, OK. High School graduates. I will always remember the time that John Eldon took me to ride horses with Virgil Simmering and Mary Lou Carpenter on the Simmering land -what fun! John, you had a very special Dad, but I’m sure I didn’t have to tell you that. I’m so sorry for your loss. I would appreciate an obituary, if you have time to send it. Love and Prayers, Wanda Mae Long Cook – Bartlesville, OK.
I can see John sitting together with all of us during our last trip to your home in Incline Village. John was so kind to take us on a beautiful drive along the lake and showed us your magnificent golf courses and the gorgeous nature around your home. What a lovely time we had together. However, at that time he unfortunately had already developed the severe heart problems and needed oxygen. I remember him from the days in Singapore when he was young and strong and healthy. What wonderful time we had together in Singapore. I wish I could be closer to you Inge Sharma
I remember the first day John came to Indy. He sat the managers down and told us that we were going to grow the consulting business. He was so optimistic that some of us became optimistic too.By the way, I was thinking about leaving Anderson before John arrived. I had reached my goals and was ready for another adventure. John told me to think about partnership; so I did. I remember the performance reviews he gave me. He was always optimistic. He was firm but I always left his office feeling better. I remember when he told me that I had not been nominated for partnership the year he and I had picked. He kept telling me to stay the course up until the day I left, but he also gave a great recommendation to anyone who considered me for a general manager position in their company. John called me about six months after I left to tell me that he was working on a just-in-time project for Cummins. Boy, was I jealous. I had worked with an audit manager (Dan ?) for two years to encourage Cummins to pursue this technique. I will miss John but feel privileged to have known such a wonderful man. Best wishes. Tony Barnard
Although I knew John was not doing well, I did not know how bad it was. Phyllis and I will miss him. My children remember John as well. I told John how much he meant to me, but he may not have told you. I had numerous supervisors at Anderson, before Anderson and after. Some were good and some were not. I liked some of them and didn’t like others. John was the only one who was a good supervisor and a good friend. He is the only one I stayed in touch with. Here are some events about John that I remember. I remember the first day John came to Indy. He sat the managers down and told us that we were going to grow the consulting business. He was so optimistic that some of us became optimistic too.By the way, I was thinking about leaving Anderson before John arrived. I had reached my goals and was ready for another adventure. John told me to think about partnership; so I did. I remember the performance reviews he gave me. He was always optimistic. He was firm but I always left his office feeling better. I remember when he told me that I had not been nominated for partnership the year he and I had picked. He kept telling me to stay the course up until the day I left, but he also gave a great recommendation to anyone who considered me for a general manager position in their company. John called me about six months after I left to tell me that he was working on a just-in-time project for Cummins. Boy, was I jealous. I had worked with an audit manager (Dan ?) for two years to encourage Cummins to pursue this technique. I will miss John but feel privileged to have known such a wonderful man. Best wishes. Tony Barnard
bob and i were so sorry to hear of john’s death. bob talked and talked about him after he heard the news. he said he was such a fine man and i guess they good times together in little old garber. he was so glad to see him again at the reunion and they loved playing golf together. we so enjoyed having both of you here. you have had such a wonderful and interesting life together and we know how he will be missed. thinking of you with thoughts and prayers. ann and bob kerr
We were saddened to learn the news of your father’s going home, though we knew he had been having some important health problems for some years. Please assure your mom of our prayers and fond memories. Share our sincere condolences with her. Your parents were among the very first to welcome me into the Arthur Andersen “family” almost exactly 50 years ago, at a Christmas party held by the group working on a special Skelly Oil project in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Your dad helped take the story of my ‘Cinderella slipper’ all the way to South Africa. Over the years we always looked forward to seeing your parents at various Arthur Andersen events in different parts of the world; And after our oldest daughter moved to California, we were able to see them even for a short while when we visited her. In recent years Claude has not accompanied me and I have not spent more than 48 or at most 76 hours there, so hadn’t seen your parents lately. But they will always hold a special place in our heart We will be thinking of you as you celebrate your dad’s life tomorrow, though it will be midnight here. Claude has looked at the link for Safe Harbor Maritime Academy, and I’m sure we will make a donation in your dad’s name. It sounds like a wonderful endeavor. With warm wishes and fond memories, Claude and Armida Remy
My health precludes my coming to the services for John. I am so sorry that I am unable to come. He was such a dear friend to me. He was my mentor, my supporter and advocate. I was blessed to have known him since 1967. He was always a happy outgoing guy. I was always happy to be in his presence. I miss him greatly. Harry Walter
I regret deeply not attending John’s Memorial. I was hung up with my own health problems, and I would have only created a spectacle by attending. Of course, Charlotte had to nurse me through the emergency room and a subsequent doctor visit, and so she couldn’t attend either. Everything is OK now But I want you to know that I think of John every day. He and I worked very closely at the Firm, and we were very close friends. He was so positive and enthusiastic, and he truly loved people. He was such a good example for me to try to follow. I am comforted to know that Little John lives so close. I just know that he has been your rock of Gibraltar. Please give him my regards, and also to Laurie and Debbie. Your kids won’t remember me, so just tell them that my regards come from a crusty old partner who loved their Dad. Joanie, I have a request. Please, please take care of your health as you go through these tough times. After all, you are very precious. As ever, Don
With deepest sympathy, we send our love at the loss of John. Do know how important he was in our lives–true family. I was remembering our visits in Indianapolis recently. Always knew there was a grand hug awaiting when we visited. Please know you are wrapped in our hugs and prayers. We pray for your strength and for comfort from memories. With love, Karen and Ralph
We send our deepest sympathy and heartfelt thoughts and love to you and your family. John was one of our favorite men and will remain in our memory always. God bless you Maggi and Stu