University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law professor Mark F. Kightlinger died “peacefully in the early morning hours” on Thursday, July 17, according to a Facebook post made by the college.

The post commended Kightlinger as “a beloved educator and cherished colleague for more than two decades.”

Facebook users, including former students and coworkers, offered their condolences in the comments of the post.

“Whenever the world loses someone who walked around reading Aristotle, it is devastating,” user Erik Buddingh wrote. “It’s even more grievous when that person was kind, talented, and funny. He will be missed and well remembered.”

UK released the following statement today, written by James Duff, interim dean of the College of Law:

“We are deeply saddened about the loss of Professor Mark Kightlinger, an esteemed educator and thoughtful mentor to our students and alumni and a great friend to many of my faculty colleagues at the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law.

Professor Kightlinger joined the college in 2004 after practicing at Covington & Burling LLP in Washington, D.C. He notably taught administrative law and constitutional law, among other courses, and he served as faculty adviser to the Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture and Natural Resources Law. He was a brilliant scholar, specializing in law and philosophy, international law, administrative law and internet law. The law school community will miss seeing Mark Kightlinger reading while walking the halls of the law building.

The UK Rosenberg College of Law wishes to extend condolences to Mark Kightlinger’s family. He touched countless lives both inside and outside of the classroom and will be missed.”