The Number One Cause...

For you Fargo folks another has crossed the bar. Mr. Crippen, the infamous typing teacher at Agassiz Jr. High and later Fargo South High, died on June 9th at age 89. I thought he was at least 80 when I had him in the late 60's. Hmmm, another one of those teacher aging tricks that only they seem to possess. Doing the math, in 1968 he would have been 50. Younger than you know who!

My treasured memories of Mr. Crippen were always, and I mean always, getting caught chewing gum,(no guns, just gum). I would hear that scratchy voice, "Snyder, get rid of the gum."

Now my brother, Tom, who upon hearing of his death belts out the well worn and remembered phrase of Mr. Crippen, "The number one cause of typewriter repair is eraser crumbs in the machine."

My how times have changed. Your lesson lives on with one South High grad who doesn't even own a typewriter anymore. Farewell Mr. Crippen.