Catching Up: Celebrity Obituaries

From time to time, on the anniversary of their death,  I look forward to recognizing iconic figures that have shaped my life and our culture; people such as Dean Vernon Wormer.

Dean Wormer died February 1, 2005. Noted for his leadership of Emil Faber College, Dean Wormer was renowned in education circles for his innovative disciplinary methods including the double secret probation. Surviving Dean Wormer and oft quoted among education leaders today:

"Put Niedermeyer on it.  He's a sneaky little shit just like you."
"Put a sock in it boy, or else you'll be out of here like shit through a goose."
And of course, "Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son."


One of those oft-disciplined Faber students, Bluto Blutarsky, aka, John Belushi died March 5, 1982.  It's impossible to imagine planet earth without Belushi's many contributions:

"Food fight!"
"Toga! Toga! Toga!"
"No Coke. Pepsi."
"How much for the women?  We want to buy your women."
Christ! Seven years of college, down the drain."
and of course,
"Nothing is over until we say it is. Was it over when the Germans attacked Pearl Harbor?  Hell no!"

And finally,  March 14, 2006 Ann Calvello died.  Ann Calvello and Roller Derby. Epic duels with Joanie Weston.  Seven decades of being the queen of the penalty box.  Enough said.  I'll never forget a visit by the Roller Derby greats to the University of Missouri in Columbia my senior year, 1975.  (We were a cultural hot bed.) Classic headline in the Columbia Missourian the following morning:

Roller Derby Marred by Few Minutes of Skating.


Celebrities I'll feature in the coming months:  Elden Auker, the last living pitcher to face Babe Ruth; Rodney Dangerfield and Chris Farley.  Let me know who shaped your life, so we can give that person(s) the appropriate recognition.

Happy Easter!