Dr. Raymond D. Dillon

Dr. Raymond D. Dillon 78, Wausau died May 2, 2003 under the care of Comfort Care & Hospice Services at Community Health Care Wausau Hospital. He was born April 19, 1925 in Superior, son of the late James and Emma (Neighardt) Dillon. On June 7, 1950, he married Bernice Munnings in Superior. He was a veteran of the 454th Bomber Group of the Army Air Corp. During WW II, his plane was shot down and he was a P.O.W. in Nazi Germany until the end of the war. He later joined the Air Force Reserve and retired at the rank of Major. Dr. Dillon came to Vermillion in 1965 as the Chairman of the Zoology Department and was a professor of Biology at USD for 25 years. During his career he lead scientific expeditions to Central America, the Artic Circle and to the Atomic Bomb test site on Eniwetok Atoll. He was perhaps best known for his three expeditions to Antarctica where he took USD Graduate Students to study microorganisms in harsh climates. He was a past president for Rotary International (Paul Harris Fellow) and South Dakota Academy of Science. He was also a life member of New York Academy of Science, South Dakota Academy of Science, University South Dakota Emeriters and University of Wisconsin Alumni Association. Survivors include his wife, Bernice Dillon, Wausau; one daughter, Cynthia Dillon, Spokane, Washington; two sons, David (Cheryl) Dillon, Hermosa, South Dakota and Roger (Jill) Dillon, Wausau;three grandsons; two great granddaughters; one sister and three brothers. The memorial services were held at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau, WI on May 4, 2003. Memorials may be sent to Hospice Services, the Alzheimer's Association or USD Scholarship Fund. .