Obituary
RICHARD C. FOUNTAIN
Richard Calhoun Fountain, 82, of DeLand, Florida, passed away peacefully at Halifax Health Hospice in Orange City, Florida, on January 1, 2020, after a battle with diabetes and leukemia. Born on April 18, 1937, in Tampa, Florida, Richard was the only child of Calhoun and Corrie Fountain.
Richard grew up on River Hills Circle in Jacksonville, Florida, and graduated from Landon High School in 1954. He played flute in the band, ran cross country, and went shrimping and fishing with his father and friends. Through these experiences, Richard gained a fascination and respect for nature that would follow him into adulthood with his career and his love of hunting.
Following high school graduation, Richard first attended Jacksonville University, and then the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology. From there, he attended Emory University in Decatur, Georgia, graduating in 1961 with a Master of Science in Geology. During his time at the University of Florida, Richard was also a member of the Army National Guard, where he qualified as a sharpshooter.
Richard’s professional career began in 1962 with a move to Macon, Georgia, where he was employed as a geologist by the Clay Division of J.M. Huber Corporation. In this new role, Richard was responsible for exploration in North and South America, requiring significant travel and time away from home. In 1965, wanting to spend more time with his family, Richard relocated to Winter Haven, Florida, to be employed until 1973 by IMC – Agrico Company, where he held various positions of increasing responsibility ranging from Senior Geologist to Superintendent of Production Services of the Agricultural Operations Division. In June of 1973, he established Richard C. Fountain and Associates, a consulting firm focused on mining and environmental related services, continuing in that role until his retirement almost 10 years ago.
Beyond his work life, Richard was involved in several professional societies while residing in Winter Haven, including AIME (now SME) where he served in several roles, including Chairman of the Florida Section from 1970 to 1971, AIPG where he served as President of the Florida Section in 1990 and National President in 1995, and the Georgia Mining Association where he served on the Board of Directors from 1986 to 1989. He was also active at St. John’s United Methodist Church, and involved with Boy Scouts of America, little league sports, and marching band activities with his two sons. In 1993, Richard relocated to Armuchee, Georgia, where he was active in the West Rome United Methodist Church, and continued to manage his consulting business and a client-owned clay mine that he gained responsibility for in 1980.
Richard is survived by his two sons, Keith Fountain (Jane), of DeLand, Florida, and Kendall Fountain, of Brookhaven, Georgia, one grandson, Kevin Fountain, also of DeLand, and his first wife, Virginia Peel Fountain, of Dothan, Alabama. He is preceded in death by his parents and his second wife, Sammie Brown Fountain. In lieu of flowers, Richard’s family requests contributions be made to the University of Florida Department of Geological Sciences in his memory at http://bit.ly/2tFYsny. Contributions can also be made by check, payable to “UF Foundation” with “Fund #00799 Geology – Fountain Memorial” included on the memo line and mailed to:
UF Department of Geological Sciences
Attn: Kristin Nichola
P.O. Box 112120
241 Williamson Hall
Gainesville, FL 32611
Richard will be interred at Hardage – Giddens Greenlawn Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida, next to his parents on Saturday, February 8.
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