Ghanaian Professor At University Of Florida found dead

Authorities were investigating Tuesday the apparent suicide of a longtime University of Florida professor who was married to an Alachua County judge.

Paul Kotey, 65, was found dead at his home Monday night in the Spring Forest subdivision of northwest Gainesville, said Alachua County Sheriff's Sgt. Keith Faulk.

"It did appear he was deceased from a self-inflicted wound," Faulk said. The injury was from a gunshot, he added.

Kotey's wife, County Judge Phyllis Kotey, found him dead, Faulk said.

Kotey was an associate professor in UF's African and Asian language and literature department. He had joined the UF faculty in 1972. He taught African Humanities, African Folktales, Black African Cinema, and often, Introduction to Linguistics. Kotey spoke Akan, also known as Twi, a language of Ghana.

Kotey was born in Ghana and came to the United States for graduate work after receiving a bachelor's degree from the University of Ghana in 1965, said Ann Wehmeyer, chair of the department of African and Asian language and literature.

He received a master's degree from Harvard and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He wrote at least three books, including a Twi/English dictionary, a book teaching Twi and a book on African linguistic trends.

Co-workers were still reeling from the news of his death Tuesday.

"No one saw this coming," said Wehmeyer, who knew Kotey for 15 years. "I can't tell you there were any particular warning signs."

Kotey was always warm and friendly, she said. He encouraged people to speak their minds and was fair. He put a lot of energy into teaching, she said.

His classes have been canceled for the week.

Kotey leaves behind three high school aged children and his wife, Phyllis Kotey, 44, who has been an Alachua County court judge since 1996.