Brian Lindstrom, the award-winning documentary filmmaker, has died at the age of 65.
He died after a battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare neurological condition that affects movement, balance and cognitive function.
Cheryl Strayed, Brian’s wife, 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 as 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 in our hearts forever. The only thing greater than our sadness that Progressive Supranuclear Palsy has taken our beloved Brian from us is the endless love we have for him.”
He added: “What an immense happiness it was to be his partner for more than thirty years. We loved each other and our children with deep devotion and true joy. He was a wonderful husband. He was the most wonderful father. He was a man whose word and action were driven by kindness, compassion and generosity. He saw the goodness in everyone. He believed that we are all holy and redeemable.”
Cheryl continued, “His work as a documentary filmmaker was dedicated to telling the stories of people who, as he put it, ‘pushed society through an X.’ He erased that
She noted that Brian then showed that “each of us is worthy of love and respect, grace and honor.”
“Time and time again, he went into the darkness to show us how much light there is. He served. He spoke truth to power. He measured his success by asking whether his films had 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.
Of their children, Cheryl Strayed said, “His greatest legacy is Carver and Bobbi, who embody all that is good and true of their father. Their extraordinary grace, courage and fortitude during this harrowing time were unwavering and rooted in the eternal love that Brian poured into them every day of their lives.”
“We don’t know how we will live without him. We are completely bereft. We can only walk this dark path and search for the beauty that Brian knew was there. It will be his eternal light that guides us,” Brian Lindstorm’s widow added.
Brian Lindstrom and Cheryl Strayed have been married for 27 years and have two children together.
