Sought water fluoridation, promoted better dental care for children

Chicago Dental Society members are mourning the loss of their former longtime executive director.

Karl Richardson, a 37-year resident of Barrington Hills and 10-year resident of Inverness, passed away Aug. 4 at his home in Estero, Fla. He was 98.

Mr. Richardson led the Chicago Dental Society for 29 years, from 1950 to 1979, but colleagues say he served as a senior adviser and passionate proponent of the organization long after that.

During his tenure, the dental society established Children's Dental Week, to help promote good dental hygiene. That later expanded to National Children's Dental Month, observed every February.

The society also worked for the fluoridation of Chicago's water supply, which took place in 1956, in an effort to prevent tooth decay.

"He marshaled that together," says Dr. Walter Lamacki, a Chicago Dental Society board member and colleague. "It dramatically changed the way dentistry was practiced."

Mr. Richardson also worked year-round to expand the society's annual Midwinter Meeting held each February, from a convention which drew several thousand dental professionals, to 27,000 when he retired in 1979.

"Karl was a truly unique individual who willingly shared with me his knowledge of the Chicago Dental Society and provided counsel and guidance whenever needed," current Executive Director Randall Grove says in the society's online tribute. "His great humor, storytelling and ability to send me to the thesaurus will always be remembered and cherished."

Mr. Richardson's leadership with dental professionals, came after his role with the former American Committee on Maternal Welfare, which later evolved into the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Starting in 1940, Mr. Richardson served as executive secretary for the organization, which actively worked to reduce infant mortality.

Mr. Richardson had been born and raised in Ottawa, Ill., and he continued to remain connected to the city. After graduating from Ottawa High School, he attended the University of Michigan, where he played football and graduated in 1931.

Shortly after accepting the position with the Chicago Dental Society, Mr. Richardson and his family moved to Barrington. The rural setting allowed him to pursue his love of outdoor activities, from swimming, skating and skiing, to canoeing, kayaking and horseback riding.

"He was always very physically active," his second wife, Mary Lucille says, "and I'm sure that contributed to his long life."

While living in Barrington, Mr. Richardson served on the board of the Riding Club of Barrington Hills, during the years of building the Riding Center on Bateman Road, and while working out a three-part agreement with the Fox River Valley Hunt and Pony Club and the Barrington Countryside Park District.

Riding Club members later honored Mr. Richardson for his more than 25 years of service to the club and its mission of promoting riding and preserving local bridal paths.

Besides his wife, Mr. Richardson is survived by his daughter, Pamela Ippoliti of Evanston, stepdaughter, Nancy (Tim) Hellyer of Granger, Ind., stepson, Michael J. O'Donnell of Estero, Fla., and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Lawson Richardson, son, Jason Richardson, and son-in-law, John A. Ippoliti.

A funeral service will take place at 3 p.m. today at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 647 S. Dundee Ave. in Barrington.