Robert Wayne Sampson passed away August 16, 2024 due to complications of Parkinson’s disease. Born December 7, 1961, in Burley, Idaho, he was the first child of parents R. Neil and Jeanne Sampson. He is survived by his wife, Dianna Todd Sampson, Boise, ID; his parents, Alexandria, VA; brother Eric, Westfield, IN; brother Chris, Los Angeles, CA; and sister Heidi, Woodridge, IL.

After graduating from Thomas Edison High School in Alexandria, VA, Rob returned to his beloved state of Idaho to attend the University of Idaho in Moscow where he met his wife Dianna Todd whom he adored. Rob graduated in 1985 with a degree in agricultural engineering. His professional career with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service took him and Dianna around the Northwest U.S. with positions in Idaho, Oregon, and Alaska. In 1997 Rob earned a master’s degree in Watershed Science from Colorado State. Rob finished his USDA career with a stint in Washington, DC.

Not content to rest on all that success, upon retiring from the USDA Rob established Sampson H3 Engineering, an engineering consulting firm that focused on  hydrology, hydraulics, and habitat. Rob quickly became known as one of the best riparian ecologists and engineers in the field, and was a sought-after speaker and contributed to many conferences. Rob was particularly proud of his work with  River Restoration Northwest (RRNW), a nonprofit scientific and educational organization based in Portland, OR that advances the science and standards of river restoration practice through an interdisciplinary approach. Rob was active on the Board of River Restoration Northwest from 2006 to 2014, and served in each of the board officer positions during that time. He remained involved and engaged with the organization up to the time of his death. Rob was also integral to the development and implementation of the River Restoration Professional Certificate through the Environmental Professional Program at Portland State University. This program focuses on proficiency in technical skills that address sustainable natural function, developing contacts, connections, and partnerships, and promoting ethical, fiscal, and regulatory responsibility and regulatory compliance. Rob led the Restoration Design Course for many years and contributed significantly to the other courses. The relationships that resulted from this endeavor became a great source of satisfaction for Rob, and he continued to mentor many of the participants over the years. Rob’s contributions continue to have a lasting positive effect on the state of river science and restoration practice in the US.

Rob contributed to the National Engineering standards and handbooks for NRCS and co-authored a book with his father, Neil, titled “Committed to Conservation.”

Rob loved intersections. Especially those within the engineering, science, and natural realms. He was a champion of rivers and river science, and loved to debate as well as learn while teaching others. Rob could happily spend hours alone on a river bank watching the interactions of water, rocks, plants, and stream life and was equally at home in a room full of other people  interested in nearly any subject. These qualities led to Rob becoming a life-long mentor and friend to many of his colleagues throughout his career.

Rob’s professional accomplishments are many, and easy to document. But those accomplishments, impressive that they are, do not capture the wide-ranging curiosity Rob brought to absolutely everything. A voracious reader and gifted writer, Rob could hold a conversation on virtually any topic, sprinkled with a quick, and occasionally sharp, wit! Rob also had a deep love for music of all kinds, from classical to Coltrane, but especially for classic rock.

An avid outdoorsman and adventurous spirit, Rob enjoyed nothing more than a hike or camping trip with Dianna and their dogs, preferably to somewhere new and previously unknown. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout the Northwest.

Rob’s family extends their gratitude to Rob’s sister-in-law Debbie Grasmick-Mastrude, for her care and support for Rob during the times he was hospitalized while he battled Parkinson’s. The family is also grateful to Father John Worster and Terril Stevenson for their friendship and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to any of the following –

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, www.michaeljfox.org

The Henry’s Fork Foundation, www.henrysfork.org

Friends of the Clearwater River, www.friendsoftheclearwater.org

A Celebration of Life will be held Spring of 2025.