My close friend, Robert Baer, wrote DVP's autobiography. It's a fascinating read that spans tons of interesting people through the decades.
I had dinner with DVP and his family and spent time at his house. Very nice family. Great stories told to me of when the Jacksons moved next door, around 1970.
The lived literally, next door and they would all play with DVP's kids except for Michael. He was very close to Mrs. Van Patten and she told me many stories and showed me some artifacts.
He was a nice man who had no ego and was good to his family and friends. Not a bad legacy.
You would enjoy the book, "Eighty Is Not Enough." DVP knew every president, lived with Burt Lancaster, played cards with James Dean and Abbott & Costello, had Farrah at his house all the time in the 70's, knew Muhammad Ali and all the greats.
