Delta House's Nemesis Passes On

Miller's Time reports that actor John Vermer passed away last Thursday in his sleep at the age of 72, due to complications from heart surgery. Those of us that have reached a certain age will always remember his most notable role. Vermer portrayed the notorious Dean Vernon Wormer in the 1978 comedy masterpiece "Animal House." I'll never forget the following three lines uttered by Vermer: (in that menacing voice of his)

• Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son.
• Put Neidermeyer on it. He's a sneaky little s*** just like you.
• As of now, they're on Double Secret Probation.

During my first few years in the classroom, I would often look at a group of my unruly junior high school students and think, "Wouldn't it be nice if I could put this bunch on "Double Secret Probation?" I could then send any or all of 'em to the principal's office, where Dean Wormer could growl at them and teach them some manners.

It's been over a quarter century since Animal House first guzzled, "gatored," and road-tripped its way into American pop-culture.

Where has the time gone?

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