Dr. Francis Kwami Kokuma died Friday, June 21, 1996, at Passaic General Hospital after a short illness.

          Born in Kpando, Ghana, Dr. Kokuma received a B.D. in Comparative Religions from the University of Ghana and a M.Th. from the Chicago Theological Seminary in the University of Chicago. Returning to his native Ghana, Dr. Kokuma became a tenured professor of Church History and the History of Christian Thought in the Department for the Study of Religions at the University of Ghana.

           Dr. Kokuma then returned to the United States and for the next twenty-one years he was a successful executive with IBM, serving in both the Informations Systems and Business Controls divisions. While working full-time at IBM Dr. Kokuma completed a Ph.D. at Northwestern University and in the Fall of 1990 he joined the faculty of Montclair State University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion.

          Dr. Kokuma created new courses in African Traditional Religions and the African-American Religious Experience. He re-invigorated the Department's course in Islam. Working closely with the Program of African American Studies, Dr. Kokuma shepherded a new multicultural Religious Studies major through the Curriculum Committee to final adoption.

          Active in both the Mid-atlantic and National American Academy of Religion, Dr. Kokuma was the leading international expert on Kodzo-Kuma, one of the most important of the West African syncretic religions. At the time of his death he was preparing a highly original video account of an important Kodzo-Kuma ritual.

          Dr. Kokuma was a teacher of talent and integrity, known throughout the campus for his patient counceling and guiding of students. He served on numerous university and department level committees and was a Fellow of the Society for the Study of African Christianity.

          Surviving are his wife Theodora, his son Eric, his brother Julius Kokuma of Chicago, IL and two sons from his previous marriage, Jeffery of Chicago, IL and Martin of Houston, TX, his sister Mrs. Ewoenam Pupumlampo of Modena, Italy and his mother Rebecca Asamany, his brother Franklin Kokuma, and his sister Mrs. Violet Dzakpasu, all of Kpando, Ghana.

          Frank was an ideal faculty member, colleague and friend. He was a teacher of talent and integrity, a deeply caring man who spent countless hours counseling and guiding students, and he was always ready to serve this department conscientiously and creatively. On committees and at faculty meetings his was a voice of wisdom and calm. We will all cherish the memory of his sweet smile and the transparent goodness of his character. He was a man totally without malice who endeared himself to all of us. We are blessed to have known him.

          A beautiful and fitting memorial service For Dr. Francis Kwami Kokuma was held at 9:00 PM, Saturday, June 29, 1996, at the Shook Cedar Grove Funeral Home, Cedar Grove, New Jersey.  Dr. Kokum's body was taken back to his home in Kpando, Ghana for burial.