Richard Lyon Horwitz (1947-1990) was the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy's first legal counsel, serving in this capacity from 1985 until his death from cancer in 1990. Horwitz played a critical leadership role in establishing the Academy and guiding it through its early years.

He also helped establish the IMSA Fund for Advancement of Education and supported it through generous personal gifts and enthusiastic service as chairman of special fund raising events. After his death, an endowment fund was established by his family and friends; contributions support the annual Richard L. Horwitz Lecture on Ethics.