Jan R. VanMeter

Jan Rodden Van Meter, of Manhattan and Olivebridge, NY, died in hospice care in New York City on August 17, 2022, shortly after beginning treatment for cancer. He was 81 years old. Smart, funny, and gregarious, Jan had a wide range of friends and many interests. He worked most recently as a public relations senior executive in New York, and at different points in his life was a CIA intelligence analyst, an assistant professor of English, a corporate speechwriter, and a high school French teacher. He was an avid reader of history and fiction, and published two books of his own: “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too: Famous Slogans and Catchphrases in American History,” and “Finley Peter Dunne: 1900-1926.” Jan had a deep sense of right and wrong, rooting for the underdog whenever he saw injustice and passionate about issues of racial and economic equity. He was on the board of the New York Urban League for many years and long supported political, social, and environmental organizations aimed at making a more just society. A dedicated bird-watcher and nature enthusiast, he traveled to many exotic locales around the world with his wife and son, binoculars and camera in hand. At home in Olivebridge, he devoted long hours to gardening and working outside, while watching for local birds and wildlife. Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA to William Rodden Van Meter and Charlotte Greenberg Van Meter, Jan grew up in West Hartford, CT. He attended the Loomis School and earned a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a Ph.D. from SUNY Stony Brook. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1965-1971. Jan is survived by his wife, Elena Sansalone, their son, Benjamin Van Meter, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. His sister, Gerry Cohen, predeceased him. A memorial service will take place in the fall. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wildlife Conservation Society or National Audubon Society would be appreciated. https://www.lastingmemories.com/jan-rodden-van-meter