A Century of Change: “Current Events Could Turn Anyone Sour”
In his diary, Van Dyke also reflects on the emotional weight of watching the world transform—sometimes painfully. “Recent and unfolding current events could turn anyone sour and dark, young or old,” he wrote, pointing specifically to the two massive wildfires that tore through Southern California last year. One was the worst in the region’s history.
“Daily, I spiral into anguish over the mayhem and cruelty being inflicted on the entire world,” he wrote. “So yes, I suppose at certain times of day, I am the grumpy old man who yells at the TV.” But even this admission is softened by humor. Van Dyke has always found a way to balance honesty with levity — a hallmark that has defined both his career and his personal philosophy.
The Loneliness of Outliving Almost Everyone You Love
For all the public celebration around turning 100, Van Dyke acknowledges the darker side of longevity: the quiet, aching loneliness of survival. He writes openly about outliving nearly every friend and loved one from his early life and career.
His first wife, Margie Willett — with whom he shared four children — passed away in 2008. His partner of more than 30 years, Michelle Triola, died in 2009. Many of his closest friends and co-stars left this world long before him.
“Every single one of my dearest lifelong friends is gone,” he shared. “Which feels just as lonely as it sounds.”Continue reading…
