The longtime director of human resources for the Will County government has died.

Bruce Tidwell, 59, died unexpectedly earlier this week, according to Will County Board Speaker Mimi Cowan, who told board members of his death during a meeting on Thursday.

“Anyone who’s worked with Bruce knows what a font of information he was, of support to his staff,” Cowan said, adding that Tidwell was an asset to the county government.

Cowan said Tidwell had worked for the county for just under 20 years. He began his career with the county as its insurance director. He was promoted to HR director in 2003.

Board member Herbert Brooks Jr. praised Tidwell for helping him navigate the county’s health insurance plan when he underwent two major surgeries.

“We have lost an important member of our Will County family,” County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, D-Shorewood, said in a statement. “We are giving our staff time to process and grieve his loss. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”