Biography: Ralph Aaron Downs, M.D. age 87, of Little Rock, died Tuesday, March 21, 2006. He was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and graduated from Parsonsfield Seminary, in Maine. He returned to Arkansas where he attended Hendrix College 1938 to 1941 before receiving his B.S. from Tulane University, New Orleans, 1941-1942. He later received his M.D. from Tulane School of Medicine in Urology in 1945. He did his internship at Boston City Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, 1945-46, before completing his residency at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. After his schooling Ralph served in the U. S. Navy Medical Corp from 1946-1948. After the war he started his Urology Practice at St. Edwards Hospital, Fort Smith, Arkansas for 10 years. He then moved to Little Rock where he had staff membership at St. Vincent Infirmary, Baptist Medical Center, and Doctor’s Hospital before his retirement in 1988. Ralph was a member of the American Board of Urology, the American Urological Association, once serving as president of the South Central Section of the American Urological Association, Society of Pediatric Urology, Pan Pacific Surgeons Association, Societe Internationale d”Urologie, American College of Surgeons, Arkansas Urological Association, Arkansas Medical Society, and the Pulaski County Medical Society. Ralph is pre-deceased by a son, James Andrew Downs who died in 1992. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Margery Hare Downs of Little Rock, three sons; Ralph Aaron Downs, III of Little Rock, John G. Downs and wife Jessica of Denver, Colorado, Richard J. Downs and wife Jana of Prague, Czech Republic, two step-daughters; Cindy Wage and husband Olin of Little Rock, Susan Penick and husband Carroll of Little Rock, and ten grandchildren; Charlotte, Martine, Ralph, Chirstopher, Jackson, and Lydia Downs, Aaron and Robert Wage, and Frances and Sarah Penick. There will be a memorial service at 11am Friday March 24th, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church officiated by The Reverend Rocki Profitt. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flower memorials should be made to St. Vincent Infirmary, 6101 St. Vincent Circle, Little Rock 72205 or a charity of choice.