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Dr. William Richardson

May 18, 2021
Hickory Corners, MI

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Richardson, Dr. William C. Hickory Corners, MI Dr. William C. Richardson passed away on May 18, 2021 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's. Born May 11, 1940 in Passaic, NJ, Bill had a long and very successful career as a researcher, university administrator and foundation executive. Along the way he served as a friend and mentor to many individuals who recall his kindness, excellent advice, and ability to always make you feel heard. Bill graduated from Trinity College (Connecticut) and went on to pursue an MBA and PhD at the University of Chicago. He started his academic career at the School of Public Health at the University of Washington in Seattle, focusing his research on the financing and organization of health service delivery. He served as graduate dean and vice provost for research at the University of Washington and then went on to serve as the executive vice president and provost at the Pennsylvania State University. He became the eleventh president of Johns Hopkins University. During his tenure at Johns Hopkins he worked to update the curriculum, diversify the student body and faculty, promote cooperation between academic divisions, and strengthen the school's financial position. African-American and Hispanic enrollment doubled in his five years as president and a $900 million capital campaign was launched. In 1995 Bill left academia and became the president and CEO of the WK Kellogg Foundation, a position he held until his retirement in 2005. He also served as chair and co-trustee of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Trust and served as a director on the boards of the Kellogg Company, The Bank of New York Mellon, Exelon Corporation, CSX Corporation, and Mercantile Bankshares. He has also served on the boards of the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, Trinity College and Kalamazoo College. He was elected a member of the Institute of Medicine (IOM), National Academy of Sciences in 1980. One of his proudest accomplishments was chairing the IOM committee that produced a groundbreaking report on medical errors ("To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System") and a subsequent report on the quality of health care in the United States ("Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century"). He has been awarded honorary degrees from the University of Michigan, the Johns Hopkins University, Tuskegee University, and the University of Maryland among others. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Nancy Richardson, his daughters Jennifer Richardson and Elizabeth Vigdor, son-in-law Jacob Vigdor, and grandchildren Nate, Juliana and Evie Vigdor. Memorials may be made to the Gilmore Keyboard Festival 359 South Kalamazoo Mall, Unit 101, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 or Kalamazoo College, 1200 Academy Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006. A memorial service will be held later. Arrangements entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. To view Bill's personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com