William "Van" Vanstan Keyser

Abingdon, Va. William Vanstan “Van” Keyser, 72, passed away on November 5, 2015, at Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol, Tenn. The son of Pauline Elizabeth Fisher Keyser and Carter William Keyser, Jr., Van grew up in Clifton Forge,Va. From an early age, he expressed the gifts of imagination, curiosity, kindness, a keen intelligence, a mischievous sense of humor, and a love of dance which his parents encouraged. Appearing on television and the stage as a child, Van went on to dedicate his life to sharing his love of the performing arts with others. After graduating from Emory and Henry College, Van earned an M.F.A. in dramatic art and speech from Virginia Commonwealth University and began teaching at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. Recruited as a founding faculty member at Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, Van exuberantly taught speech, English, theatre, film and dance; directed and choreographed nearly 100 productions at VHCC, Theatre Bristol and Barter Theatre, the State Theatre of Virginia; organized and led community theatre trips to New York each spring; and served as lead teacher in the summer theatre program of the A. Linwood Holton Governor’s School. Van lived in joy, appreciated all forms of beauty, cherished his friends and generously shared his life with others. He savored every conversation, every story, every bite of every meal, every word of every script, every note of every song. Driving the back roads of Bath County brought him as much pleasure as strolling New York’s theatre district. His food preferences ran from brunch with pear champagne at Café des Artistes, to a bag of Cheetos with a fizzy grape soda from the college vending machines. Van was much beloved for his distinctive laugh, an explosion of pure hilarity that disrupted classrooms, rehearsals, meetings, parties, stores, restaurants, church services and performing arts venues throughout North America. Van’s remarkable collaboration with VHCC colleague Gary Aday created and sustained the VHCC theatre arts program for almost 40 years. Together, Van and Gary introduced adult students to theatre’s power, nurtured the talents of people from all walks of life, launched the careers of performers and theatre artists, and cultivated a vibrant creative community in the region. The Keyser-Aday Theatre at VHCC, dedicated in 2010, honors their lasting contributions. Van is survived by his immediate family: domestic companion Shannan Roark of Abingdon; sister Frances Green and husband Bob of Fort Collins, CO; devoted friends: Katherine P. Young of Richmond, Va., Gary Aday of Bristol, Tenn., and David Collins of Abingdon; his longtime colleagues at VHCC; and thousands of former students, cast members, artists and local residents whose lives have been changed forever by knowing Van. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 2015, at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, Va., with The Rev. Robert Countiss, D.Min. officiating. A reception with food and fellowship will follow, where friends will be invited to share stories and memories of special times with Van. A second memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at Ashwood United Methodist Church, 5674 Sam Snead Highway, Hot Springs, Va. 24445, with The Rev. Vivian Utz officiating. A committal service will follow at Union Chapel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Keyser-Aday Scholarship Fund, in care of David Matlock, VHCC Educational Foundation, Post Office Box 828, Abingdon, VA 24212. Those wishing to share memories and express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Van Keyser and his family are in the care of Farris Cremation and Funeral Center, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, Va. 24210 (276-623-2700).