Brian Lindstrom, the award-winning documentary filmmaker has passed away at the age of 65.
He died following a battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare neurological disorder that affects movement, balance and cognitive function.
Cheryl Strayed, the wife of Brian confirmed the heartbreaking news in an emotional Instagram post.
On Friday, the Wild author revealed that Brian died surrounded by family, including their children.
She wrote, “Brian Lindstrom died this morning the way he lived—with gentleness and courage, grace and gratitude for his beautiful life. Our children, Carver and Bobbi, and I held him as he took his last breath and we will hold him forever in our hearts. The only thing more immense than our sorrow that Progressive Supranuclear Palsy took our beloved Brian from us is the endless love we have for him.”
Adding, “What tremendous luck it was to be his partner for more than thirty years. We loved each other and our kids with deep devotion and true delight. He was a stellar husband. He was the most magnificent dad. He was a man whose every word and deed was driven by kindness, compassion, and generosity. He saw the goodness in everyone. He believed that we are all sacred and redeemable.”
Cheryl continued, “His work as a documentary filmmaker was dedicated to telling stories of people who, as he put it, “society puts an X through.” He erased that X with his camera and his astonishing heart. He made films about incarcerated moms and their kids, about people with mental illness and substance use disorders, about teens living in homeless shelters, foster care, and detention centers, about people who were at the bottom and trying to climb up.”
She noted that Brian showed then that “every one of us is deserving of love and respect; mercy and honor.”
“Again and again, he went to the darkness to show us how much light is there. He was of service. He spoke truth to power. He measured his success by asking if his films made an impact—and they did. They saved programs and people; changed lives, policies, and minds. They made people feel seen, heard, and believed. They softened the world with their empathy,” she wrote.
Speaking about their children, Cheryl Strayed added, “His greatest legacy is Carver and Bobbi, who embody everything good and true about their father. Their extraordinary grace, courage, and fortitude during this harrowing time was unfaltering and grounded in the undying love Brian poured into them every day of their lives.”
“We do not know how we will live without him. We’re utterly bereft. We can only walk this dark path and search for the beauty Brian knew was there. It will be his eternal light that guides us,” the widow of Brian Lindstorm added.
Brian Lindstrom and Cheryl Strayed have been married for 27 years and share two children together.
