So he's leaving 'DAZ to do something different. After 39 years the guy's earned it.
I say this at times to make fun of Bison football fans, but I think it fits here also:
How things are right now is how they'll always be.
Part of growing (as a person, community, or State) is accepting that change is always happening. Heck, someday all the good ol' boys will be on the other side of the grass too.