Biography: Dr. Raymond Biondo died on Sunday afternoon, December 7, 2008, unexpectedly and suddenly while walking with his wife, to a restaurant. He has been very well known and highly regarded in Arkansas and beyond, as a Dermatologist and as a volunteer for The National, Regional and Local Boy Scouts, The Department of Veterans Affairs and many other organizations. Dr. Biondo was born in New York City, in 1936 and grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, attending public schools. He was an outstanding scholar since his youth and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Colorado. He earned both a Master of Science degree in Biochemistry and later the Doctor of Medicine degree, from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Dr. Biondo was an Intern in the Department of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in 1967 and then had advanced post-graduate training in Dermatology at UAMS, culminating in Certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology. His office for the solo, private practice of Dermatology was in North Little Rock, Arkansas, from 1971 until his retirement in 1990. Dr. Biondo was an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at UAMS. He was a member of the American Medical Association, Arkansas Medical Society, Pulaski County Medical Society, American Academy of Dermatology, and many other medical organizations. After his retirement from the practice of Dermatology, Dr. Biondo embarked on another full-time career, this time as a Volunteer serving the Department of Veterans Affairs in an advisory scientific research capacity, the National Boy Scouts and the Arkansas Medical Society among others. Among the many, many awards that Dr. Biondo received in recognition of his accomplishments and service, were: The Congressional Medal of Honor Society Special Contribution Award in 1999 (only seven presented to an Arkansan); The Arkansas Medical Society Aesculapian Award in 2008; Silver Buffalo Award in 2002 (the highest National Boy Scouts Award, the third Arkansan to receive it in the preceding 75 years); Key to the City of Indianapolis, Indiana 1981; U.S. Olympic Committee Letter of Commendation in 1982; Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in 1994. Dr. Biondo is survived by his wife Mary Biondo and his close cousins Mayer and Mordecai Schwarz. Graveside burial service will be private for the family. A Memorial Service and Celebration of the Life of Raymond V. Biondo, will be held at Temple B'Nai Israel at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 4th, 2009, with a reception to follow. Memorials may be made to the National museum of American Jewish Military History, 1811 R. Street NW, Washington, DC, 20009; the Jewish Federation of Arkansas; Quapaw Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America; and, the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund, Temple B'Nai Israel, 3700 Rodney Parham Rd., Little Rock, AR 72212-2498.