W. R. Osterkamp (1939-2020) was a research hydrologist, emeritus, for the U.S. Geological Survey. His research included bottomland dynamics, interactions of vegetation with water and sediment, channel islands, and fluvial processes of arid areas. He published articles on geomorphology, hydrology, geology, sediment movement, ecology, water quality, archaeology, and the economic benefits of earth-science and sediment networks.