For over four decades Bill Patrick conducted research on the chemistry of flooded soils and sediments. His work led to a greater understanding of the mechanisms occurring under reduced conditions in soils. Patrick was always developing cutting edge methods for evaluating the chemistry of flooded soils, such as the use of redox controllers for controlling the oxidation/reduction (Eh) potential in soils. Patrick was one of the first scientists to document the release of phosphorus that occurs in flooded soils when ferric iron compounds are reduced. Likewise, his research showed how both manganese and iron availability in soils was a function of both Eh and pH. Patrick helped pioneer a thermodynamic approach to studying soil chemistry. Bill Patrick had so many important findings in this area it is no wonder that he is referred to as the father of wetland biogeochemistry.