Fountain, Former EEO Officer at NIAID, Is Mourned

Retired NIH staffer Franklin Marshall Fountain passed away on Feb. 7 at age 89. 

In 1978, he joined NIH as Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) coordinator for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) until his retirement. 

Working with the NIAID scientific director’s office, Fountain co-organized an annual 2½-day seminar, “An Introduction to Biomedical Research,” that brought dozens of college juniors and seniors to NIH, introducing them to career opportunities in science at NIAID and other institutes. The students came from 20 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to participate in the seminar that was part of the Minority Biomedical Sciences Program, which helped young people in financially and educationally disadvantaged communities enter biomedical research and health-related professions.

Prior to joining NIAID, Fountain was an EEO/civil rights specialist in the Office of Civil Rights, Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce. He had an extensive background in human resource management and organizational development, and attended the University of Maryland for a B.S. in human resource management.

Born in Kansas City, Mo., Fountain served 20 years in the Navy before joining NIH. He was an Equal Opportunity Program manager in the Human Resource Management Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Personnel.

Survivors include three children Sonia, Le Anna and Wayne Fountain.