Dan Wakefield, Indianapolis novelist and screenwriter, dies at age 91

Dan Wakefield, the writer and journalist known for his bestselling novels and memoirs on cultural and spiritual topics, died Wednesday. He was 91.

Wakefield wrote both the 1970 novel "Going All the Way," which traced two Korean War veterans who challenged the status quo, and the screenplay for the 1997 movie with Hollywood A-listers in the roles. 1973's "Starting Over" — about a divorced man who re-enters dating life in the sexually liberated 1970s — was made into a star-studded movie as well.

But those were just two of his many works that captured audiences across more than seven decades.

"What is incredible about Dan is the experiences he had in his writing life and the number of people he called a friend, from Kurt Vonnegut to James Baldwin," his attorney Ken Bennett said. "All these literary giants, he associated with them. He's written a number of books, both fiction and nonfiction, used as important refence tools for folks."

Among those close to him, Wakefield was known as a force — a generous friend who often told great stories over beers at the Red Key Tavern, said Susan Neville, award-winning Indianapolis author and Butler University professor.

"He could have everyone laughing and smiling and crying," she said.

'He decided to risk everything' on being a writer

Wakefield had been suffering from declining health over the past year and moved to be with his goddaughter several months ago, Bennett said.

"He was surrounded by her and her family that he's known for about 30 years," he said. "That was a comfort to him and I know a comfort to all of his friends up here (in Indianapolis) as well."

Wakefield was born May 21, 1932, in Indianapolis. He was a columnist for the newspaper at Shortridge High School — which fellow writer and friend Kurt Vonnegut also attended. Wakefield graduated from Columbia College in New York and wrote for several national magazines, including The New York Times Magazine, Harper's and The Atlantic Monthly.

"He was very, very brave in that he decided he was a writer," Neville said. "He decided to risk everything on that. His primary focus in life was literature and his work. It takes courage because you have lean years and you have great years, like the year 'Going All the Way' came out."

At just 23 years old, Wakefield traveled to Mississippi to cover the murder trial of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old boy whose brutal 1955 murder helped catalyze the Civil Rights Movement. More than six decades later, Wakefield wrote the essay "How an Old White Guy Got Woke" in Indianapolis Monthly, noting that the story he wrote after the decision was the beginning of a career and life "that often orbited the Civil Rights movement" — and how a comment from James Baldwin helped open his eyes to racism and systemic injustice.

Along with "Going All the Way" and "Starting Over," Wakefield's storytelling prowess continued to other film and media projects, like the documentary "New York in the Fifties," which is based on his book and includes interviews with friends and mentors. He spoke about many remarkable events in his life on The Dan Wakefield Podcast.

Wakefield also chronicled personal, spiritual moments he experienced. After growing up as a Christian, he became an atheist in college and then came back to church in 1980 for a Christmas Eve service at a Unitarian-Universalist denomination, according to his website.

Wakefield's books on the topic include “Returning: A Spiritual Journey” and “Creating from The Spirit,” and he led workshops at churches, synagogues and adult education centers.

A mentor, friend and colleague 'generous with his time'

Measuring the industrious Wakefield's output is no small task, and Bennett noted the storyteller continued his craft even to within the past year. His 2022 book "Kurt Vonnegut: The Making of a Writer" received praise from the Wall Street Journal. He served as an honorary board member at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library.

In an email sent to Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library supporters on Thursday, founder and CEO Julia Whitehead expressed gratitude for Wakefield's work keeping Vonnegut's legacy alive.

"Through Dan’s novels, essays, and journalism, he captured the essence of life's complexities, inviting us to explore the depths of the human condition with honesty and authenticity," she wrote.

She continued: "Dan made a difference. He was generous with his time. He was passionate about civil rights. He was a compassionate teacher. He was passionate about family and friends. He was part of Kurt’s 'extended family' and our extended family. We will miss him terribly."

In the midst of his own busy output, Wakefield found time to mentor young writers, said Neville, who was friends with him for about three decades. He also spent time boosting his colleagues' work.

"He was incredibly generous to young writers and other writers," she said. "He wrote an introduction to my book 'Indiana Winter' just because he wanted it to come back in print. It was a wonderful thing for him to do."

The funeral will be private, Bennett said. Early plans are to hold a public celebration of life this summer. Those who would like to post tributes can do so on Facebook and tag the Dan Wakefield, Writer page.

Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.

Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Dan Wakefield, Indianapolis novelist and screenwriter, dies at age 91