William Chase Richardson (May 11, 1940 – May 18, 2021) received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College (Connecticut) and a Master in Business Administration degree (1964) and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1971).
Richardson was previously graduate dean and vice provost for research at the University of Washington (1981-1984), executive vice president and provost at Pennsylvania State University (1984–1990), and held various positions at the University of Chicago. Richardson devoted his academic career to researching the financing and organization of health services in the USA.
Richardson left academia to head the Kellogg Foundation (1995–2005) and became chair and co-trustee of The Kellogg Foundation Trust (1996–2007). (The David Rall Medal is awarded to a member of the Institute of Medicine who has demonstrated particularly distinguished leadership as a chair of a study committee or other such activities in a manner that was particularly exemplary, demonstrating a commitment substantially above and beyond the usual expectations of a committee chair.)