Executive director of the Chicago Dental Scoiety for 29 years.
ESTERO, Fla. -- Karl Smurr Richardson, 98, passed away Aug. 4 at his home in Estero, Fla.
Mr. Richardson was born Dec. 22, 1909, in Ottawa, the son of Jason F. Richardson Jr., a prominent Ottawa architect, and Bonnie Smurr Richardson. He was the grandson of Dr. Thomas A. Smurr, a pioneer Ottawa physician.
Mr. Richardson also resided in Barrington Hills, Inverness and Evanston.
Known in Ottawa as "Hash," Mr. Richardson graduated from Ottawa Township High School and, always an enthusiastic alum, he received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan. He was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.
In 1940, Mr. Richardson accepted a position as executive secretary of the American Committee on Maternal Welfare, an organization that was to evolve into the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
His tenure was interrupted by World War II. Known in the Navy as "Rich," Mr. Richardson served as the gunnery officer aboard the Gideon Wells, a liberty ship bound for Africa with supplies; the Malvern Hills, a Standard Oil tanker ferrying gasoline in convoys to England; and the USS Pitt, APA 223, a personnel carrier seeing action in Okinawa.
Following the war, Mr. Richardson returned to the American Committee, until June 1, 1950. Then he assumed the position of executive secretary of the Chicago Dental Society. Mr. Richardson's position with the committee was taken over by his brother, Donald F. Richardson, who guided the committee to its development into the college.
Mr. Richardson's years spent with the Chicago Dental Society were ones of which he was very proud. He was instrumental in the establishment of Children's Dental Health Week, the fluoridation of Chicago's water supply in 1956, and the growth of the Chicago Dental Society's annual midwinter meeting.
Mr. Richardson was a member of the American Association of Dental Editors, founding president (1973) of the Association of the Component Society Executives, member of the Professional Convention Management Association, member of the American Society of Association Executives, member and president (1978-79) of the Conference of Medical Society Executives of Greater Chicago, and member of the Executive Service Corp. of Chicago. Upon his retirement on May 31, 1979, Mr. Richardson was given honorary membership in the American Dental Association, the Illinois State Dental Society, the Chicago Dental Society and the Odontographic Society of Chicago, in recognition of his contributions to the field of dentistry. The Chicago Dental Society also gave him the title of Executive Director Emeritus for life, of which he was very proud.
Mr. Richardson served for many years as an officer and member of the Board of Directors of the Riding Club of Barrington Hills. He was a member of the Spring Creek Basset Hunt in Barrington. In Ottawa, he was very active with the Boy Scouts, having received his Eagle Scout rank while in high school. He was a member and past Exaulted Ruler of the BPOE in Ottawa and a member of the Elks Club in Bonita Springs, Fla.
Mr. Richardson was an avid fan of the University of Michigan, attending many games in Ann Arbor, attending meetings of the Michigan Club of Chicago, and flying the Michigan flag in Florida for every game. He also was a fan of the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs and made sure their flags flew as well.
For many years he was very active in the reunions of his Navy ship, the USS Pitt. He loved history, genealogy, reading, exploration and travel and carried on correspondence with friends from many areas well into his 98th year.
Mr. Richardson is survived by his wife, Mary Lucille (nee Lindrooth) Richardson; daughter, Pamela Ippoliti of Evanston; stepdaughter, Nancy (Tim) Hellyer of Granger, Ind.; stepson, Michael J. O'Donnell of Estero; grandchildren, Jennifer and Allyson Hellyer, Robert T. O'Donnell of Estero and Elizabeth O'Donnell of Madison, Wis.; niece, Melanie (Michael) Dundy of Oregon; nephews, Douglas Richardson of California and William (Karen) Richardson of Barrington; and grandnephew, David Kelliher of Oregon.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Lawson Richardson; son, Jason M. Richardson; son-in-law, John A. Ippoliti; and brother, Donald F. Richardson.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 647 S. Dundee Ave., Barrington. A reception will be immediately following the service at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2425 Barrington Road, Hoffman Estates. Interment will be in St. Michael's Garden Columbarium at a later date. The National Cremation Society in Fort Myers, Fla., was in charge of arrangements.
The family requests that memorials in Mr. Richardson's name be sent to Alexian Brothers Bonaventure House, P.O. Box 148187, Chicago, IL 60614-8187.
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