Professor Antoun's death has been unsettling for the Binghamton University community, but has been even more devastating for those who knew him personally. As our Janelle Burrell tells us, Antoun's friends say the community has lost not only a noted scholar, but a kind and gentle man.

VESTAL, N.Y. -- The loss of Binghamton University professor Richard Antoun is one that has rocked the university. But for those who knew him best, the news and nature of his death has left them shellshocked. In the Vestal community where he lived for more than 30 years, neighbors are struggling to process the news.

"It's just put us all in shock. Because of all people. We don't expect that to happen," said Carol Wilson, Antoun's neighbor.

"He was a good human being. Kind to everyone. Never raise his voice to anyone, just good. He was just a good man," said neighbor Lois Evancho.

"Just calm, quiet and kind. Compassionate," Wilson said.

And those who knew him professionally also recall Antoun as a gentle, peaceful person.

"The last person I could think of who would incite anger and violence especially in another person. That's why it's so shocking and so hard to fathom." Richard Moench, a professor at Binghamton University

Moench knew Antoun back from their days at Harvard in the early 1960s, where Antoun first began to develop his reputation as a sociocultural anthropologist, best known for his work on comparative religion and the Middle East.

Antoun had been retired from Binghamton University for some time, but continued work on campus to assist others as they furthered in their studies on the subjects he was so passionate about.

"Dick was retired he's not on payroll. He's not helping students because he's getting paid to do it. He was doing it out of the goodness of his heart. And to have this happen to him because he volunteered to help somebody, it's so ironic. It's almost impossible to grasp," said Moench.

A senseless loss of a man they say will never be forgotten.

"Dick was a wonderful man all these years. And we loved him dearly and we're gonna' miss him," said Evancho.

Antoun leaves behind his wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandson.