Jan Van Etten Austell

Jan Van Etten Austell, 83, died at his home in Chase City, VA, on November 3, 2017.  Born April 26, 1934 in Middletown, NY, he was a son of the late Robert Rhett and Mary Stivers Austell. He was a graduate of Deerfield School and Williams College and continued his studies at Breadloaf School of English at Middlebury College, Columbia University, and the Yale School of Drama, earning his Master's degree form Trinity College, Hartford. Jan was a master of English and director of drama at Kent School in Kent, CT for many years, and became chairman of the English Department at South Kent School thereafter.  He also taught summer school at Salisbury School and at Hotchkiss School in CT. Jan also wrote two books, The Play as Theater and What's in a Play?  After retiring from the Episcopal Academy in the Philadelphia area, Jan then became an actor on stage, in several films and television series, as well as a few commercial ventures. Some of his movie credits are "Fools Rush In", "Last Days of Disco", "Royal Tenenbaums", and "Random Hearts".  He is survived by his son, Adam Van Etten Austell of Chase City, VA and his daughter Margaret C. Austell of Kent, CT; one brother, Robert Rhett Austell Jr. of York, Maine; his sister-in-law, Anne Austell of Stroudsburg, PA; four grandchildren, Holly and Wendell Austell of Halifax, VA and Mark and Scott Barbaro of Kent; and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by a brother, Moses (Bub) Stivers Austell.Private services will be held in Middletown, NY.  For memorials please consider a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be directed to www.powellfuneralinc.com. Arrangements are by: Powell Funeral Home and Powell Cremation Services, 1603 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, VA.