Dr. Robert L. Dow, Sr., 83, an Orthopedic Surgeon who practiced in Washington D.C. for thirty years, died of pneumonia November 24, 2006 at Shady Grove Hospital in Rockville, Maryland. He has dementia, and had lived at the Wilson Health Care Center at Asbury Methodist Village since 2004. Dr. Dow was born in Syracuse, NY and grew up in nearby Baldwinsville. He graduated from Cornell University in 1944 and its medical school in 1948. He residency training took place at New York Hospital and the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York from 1948-1951. His training was interrupted from 1950-1952, when he served in the U.S. Navy. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Combat Duty in Korea in 1951. While in practice, Dr. Dow was a member of the Clinical Orthopedic faculty at George Washington University Medical School. He was certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery in 1959 and was a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. Shortly after retiring from private practice in December 1989, he received a certificate in Landscape Design from the Division of Continuing Education at George Washington University. He enjoyed working on landscape design and horticulture for several years thereafter. His son, Robert L. Dow, Jr. died in 1995.

Survivors: his wife of 43 years, Merre-Lyn Dow of Gaithersburg, MD; his daughter, Lucia R. Dow of Waterloo, Ontario Canada and two grandsons.

Graveside Services: 2:00pm Monday, December 4, 2006 at Riverview Cemetery, Baldwinsville. There will be no calling hours. Falardeau Funeral Home, Baldwinsville has charge of arrangements.