A dedication in memoriam of Dr. Richard Skalak

Richard Skalak (1923-1997) played a leadership role in the formative decade s of the discipline of biomedical engineering through his technical contrib utions in biomechanics, his educational influence on students, and his serv ice to many developing societies and journals. But always, the distinguishi ng marks of his involvement with any activity or person were his generosity , respect and tolerance for others, integrity, and curiosity. These very qu alities are what first brought him as a traditional engineer trained in eng ineering mechanics into the young field of biomedical engineering in the 19 60s, and they are what led him to new approaches to cellular and molecular engineering, tissue engineering, and orthopedic biomechanics. His technical papers and lectures on blood cell mechanics, pulmonary circulation, dental implants, and tissue growth were models of clarity and often pointed the w ay to new areas of exploration, while his personal writings offer advice on life, academic organizations, and the pursuit of significant work. He woul d be deeply appreciative that this first volume of the Annual Review of Bio medical Engineering is dedicated to his memory.