Robert Owen Fountain

OH ? Robert Owen Fountain, 88 passed away peacefully on January 26, 2023. Bob was born on May 17, 1934 in Toledo, Ohio to Virginia and Howard Fountain. He graduated DeVilbiss High School in 1952. After one year at Miami University he started at the University of Toledo. In April 1954 he married Mary Alice (Rier) and started their family. Bob graduated from the University of Toledo in 1959 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. For the next 10 years he was with the YMCA as an Athletic Director and a Swimming Coach. He coached some very talented athletes who went on to swim in college and one who qualified for 3 Olympic teams. When Bob left the YMCA he worked in sales for an insurance company and for the 3M Company.

In 1973 Bob started the University of Toledo Swim team. A year later he and the athletic director started an "Athletic Fund Raising" program later known as the Rocket Club. Fundraising became his top priority in 1981 so he resigned as swimming coach. Bob devoted his full attention to the Rocket Club and also administered in the Downtown Coaches Association. In 1995 Bob was recognized by his peers as the National Athletic Fundraiser of the year. On September 20, 2014 Bob was recognized as the 12th man at the University of Toledo football game.

Over the years as Rocket Club administrator Bob organized several trips to support the Toledo Rockets' Basketball and Football teams. Most memorable were the trips to Hawaii - five times! Many of these trips including a stop off in Las Vegas. After retiring from the University of Toledo in 1996 and with Downtown Coaches in 2014 Bob still helped with the 50/50 drawings.

Surviving Bob are his wife of 68 years, Mary; Sons - William (Jennifer), Robert (Bonnie), Michael and Thomas and Daughters - Marcia (Randy), Debbie (Buzz), 16 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers Bob would like memorial contributions to be made to either the Downtown Coaches Association: www.utrockets.com/GiveDCA or the Swimming Program: www.utrockets.com/GiveSwim. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 2023 in the Chapel at Ohio Living Swan Creek; 10:30 visitation & 11:30 service.