Raymond DiPrimio, nationally known in podiatric anatomy

Raymond R. DiPrimio, 85, of Washington Township, a South Philadelphia podiatrist and one of the foremost lower-extremity anatomists in the country, died Thursday, April 14, at Kennedy University Hospital in Washington Township of heart failure.

Dr. DiPrimio, a former professor at Temple University and one of the founders of the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine, taught more than 4,000 students over 50 years.

The college, founded in 1963, operated during the years Temple did not have its own podiatric school. In 1998, it merged with the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, which the university reinstated.

Dr. DiPrimio was born in Philadelphia on March 11, 1931, and attended parochial schools in the city. He graduated from St. Joseph's University in 1953 as the first in his family to earn a college degree.

He then served in the Army as a court reporter and was honorably discharged in 1955.

The next year, he started at the Temple School of Podiatric Medicine, where he earned awards for academic excellence and was admitted to the honor society that is now called the Stirling-Harford-DiPrimio Honorary Anatomical Society.

In October 1960, he entered private practice, where he supervised students rotating in his office, which was across the street from the South Philadelphia landmark the Melrose Diner.

He also worked at Pennsylvania Hospital and Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Washington Township. He retired from practice in 1995.

Over the years, many of his classes recognized him as "professor of the year."

John Mattiacci, dean of Temple's podiatric school and one of Dr. DiPrimio's students, called him an outstanding teacher who was beloved by faculty and became like a grandfather to his students.

"To know him was to love him," said Mattiacci, a personal friend.

Dr. DiPrimio was warm, compassionate, and always available for anyone who needed him, which he showed by welcoming students into his home, Mattiacci said.

His son Philip said he had a passion for helping people learn and stressed the importance of education to his children as well. His father was inspirational, he said.

"He always had a positive disposition, always took an optimistic view on life," Philip said.

In addition to his son, Dr. DiPrimio is survived by his wife, Carmella; sons Raymond and John; daughters Doris DiPrimio Corey, Diane Padula, and Teresa Unger; stepchildren Maryann Wells, Karen Ambruso, George Papanier, and Gail Mager; 18 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services were held this week.

Donations may be made to the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, 148 N. Eighth St., Philadelphia 19107.

mbond@philly.com

610-313-8207 @MichaelleBond