In his final post, dated January 25, Van Der Beek celebrated the shared birthday of his daughter and his father, reflecting on their kindness, warmth, and love. He wrote about their “open, loving hearts” and expressed deep gratitude for having them in his life, ending the message with, “The world is a better place because the two of you are in it.”

Following his diagnosis, Van Der Beek had auctioned memorabilia from his film and television career to help fund treatment. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children.

A GoFundMe page created after his passing noted the emotional and financial toll of his long fight with cancer, saying his family now faces an uncertain future but remains grateful for the support and compassion shown during this difficult time.