Richard F. Pedersen

Richard F. Pedersen
President of the American University in Cairo
In office January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1990
Preceded by	Cecil K. Byrd
Succeeded by	Donald McDonald
United States Ambassador to Hungary
In office July 24, 1973 – March 26, 1975
President	Richard M. Nixon Gerald Ford
Preceded by	Alfred Puhan
Succeeded by	Eugene V. McAuliffe
Counselor of the United States Department of State
In office January 24, 1969 – July 26, 1973
President	Richard M. Nixon
Preceded by	Robert R. Bowie
Succeeded by	Helmut Sonnenfeldt
Personal details
Born	Richard F. Pedersen (1925-02-21)February 21, 1925 Miami, Arizona, U.S.
Died	July 11, 2011(2011-07-11) (aged 86) Greenport, New York, U.S.
Alma mater	College of the Pacific (BA) Stanford University (MA) Harvard University (PhD)
Profession	Diplomat
Military service
Branch/service	44th Infantry

Richard Foote Pedersen (February 21, 1925 – July 11, 2011) was an American diplomat who was a career Foreign Service Officer in the United States State Department and President of the American University in Cairo.

Early life

Pedersen was born in Miami, Arizona and served with the 44th Infantry in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. After the war, he earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from the College of the Pacific, followed by a master's degree from Stanford University and a doctorate from Harvard University.

Diplomatic career

From 1953 to 1969, Pedersen served in the United States Mission to the United Nations to the United Nations alongside Charles W. Yost. He served at the U.N. under five ambassadors, including Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. and Adlai Stevenson. From January 23, 1969 until July 26, 1973, Pedersen served as Counselor of the United States Department of State, during the Nixon Administration. In 1970, his phones were bugged by the Nixon White House, as part of an effort to investigate leaks about the Invasion of Cambodia.

United States Ambassador to Hungary

On July 24, 1973, Pedersen was appointed United States Ambassador to Hungary, and he presented his credentials on September 10, 1973. He left the post on March 26, 1975.

American University of Cairo

From 1977 until 1990, Pedersen served as the President of the American University of Cairo, and led efforts to have the University receive full higher education accreditation. During his tenure the university expanded.

Later years and death

Pederson died in Greenport, New York on July 11, 2011, at the age of 86.