Jim Beam column:How did Dick Van Dyke do it?

Published 6:09 am Wednesday, January 7, 2026

The Houston cardiologist who has helped me reach age 92 told me during my last visit in December what helps people reach 100. They are staying lean, he said, are mentally active and are exercising.

Dr. K. Lance Gould said I was on the right track to make it. I’m not sure about that but it’s an interesting thought. Dick Van Dyke got to 100.

Before we get to that story, I have a small plaque that lists what was happening back in 1933, the year I was born.

Franklin D. Roosevelt had just become president and the United States population was only 125.6 million.

The New York Giants were World Series champions and the Chicago Bears were the NFL champions.

Yearly income at that time was $1,550. A new house cost $5,750 and a new car cost $460. Gasoline was 18 cents per gallon, a loaf of bread cost 7 cents, a movie ticket cost 35 cents, a stamp cost 3 cents and you could buy a newspaper for 2 cents.

Favorite songs back then were “Stormy Weather” by Ethel Waters, “Sophisticated Lady” by Duke Ellington, “Shadow Waltz” by Bing Crosby, and “Gold Diggers Song” by Dick Powell.

Major news then was that construction of the Golden Gate Bridge began in San Francisco Bay. Albert Einstein immigrated to the United States from Germany. And Wiley Post became the first person to fly solo around the world.

Dick Van Dyke, the actor, made it to 100 last Dec. 13. He wrote a book before then titled, “100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life.”

The New York Times interviewed Van Dyke and the story was published last Nov. 29. The story was by Jancee Dunn, who writes the Well newsletter  for The Times, which is a weekly update on personal health and fitness.

I was curious about what Van Dyke had to say.

Dunn said, “How did he make it this far? While genetics have most likely helped, he also practices evidence-based longevity habits …”

During the interview, Dunn said he was “sipping a cup of coffee with his customary five lumps of sugar.”

Van Dyke goes to the gym three days a week. His motivation is that he can have a power nap as a reward. He also does yoga and stretching. And he can touch his toes.

Playfulness gives him a sense of fun and freedom, he said, lowers stress and improves well-being. He also has three cats and a dog and said, “Pets just lift your spirits.”

I have nothing against pets, but I don’t have any. Jo Ann, my late wife, had a dog or dogs most of the time and they loved her.

Singing every day also reduces stress, Van Dyke said. The closest I come to that is walking to the beat of country music five or six days a week at the Ward 3 Recreation Center on Power Centre Parkway.

The actor said having an open mind is helpful and keeping social ties strong are keys to aging well. I’m with him there with strong social ties at church and at the recreation center where there are friends I call my second family.

My family get-togethers are much like Van Dyke’s who said when his family is in the yard, “Just hearing them all out there squealing gives me such joy.”

Van Dyke likes friendships but said he doesn’t have any pals his age. That’s no surprise when you’re 100. I still have friends, but the longer you live the more you lose.

My life has been full and rich and I thank God every night for my blessings. Having a solid family around to help me with the tough jobs is another blessing.

And how lucky I have been to still be able to do the work I enjoy for a newspaper I have been with for over 65 years. The 4½ years that I taught American history, civics (government) and English prepared me well for a satisfying career in journalism.

Newspapers have struggled in recent years to survive. Newsrooms across the country are shuttering. Since 2000, nearly 3,000 have closed. Some cities our size don’t have a newspaper.

The American Press has made it and here’s hoping it will serve this corner of Louisiana for many years to come.

Jim Beam, the retired editor of the American Press, has covered people and politics for more than six decades. Contact him at jim.beam.press@gmail.com.