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.

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.^[1]

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.^[1]

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.^[2]

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.^[1]

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