Floyd Karker Richtmyer (October 12, 1881 – November 7, 1939) was a physicist and educator in the United States.

Richtmyer taught physics at Drexel University but returned to Cornell as an instructor in 1906, where he remained for the duration of his career.

[3] When the Journal of the Optical Society of America (JOSA) began in 1917, Richtmyer wrote the very first article, on page 1 of volume 1, titled "Opportunities for Research.

It is awarded to those who have not only produced important current research in physics but to those who have, by means of communication to both students and other educators, imparted information and motivation to participants in the field.

He had a daughter Sarah R. Richtmyer who married John T. Mann, and another son Lawson E.