OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — The Oak Ridge Police Department said a body was found in Melton Hill Lake near Calhoun's Restaurant on Saturday morning, at around 9:15 p.m.
On Tuesday, they said the body was identified as Arthur C. Lee, a Roane State Community College geology professor who was reported missing on Feb. 22.
They also said that foul play was not suspected in his death.
Lee was a tenured professor, with more than 20 years of experience, according to Roane State Community College.
"The Oak Ridge Police Department has confirmed that the body of Roane State Geology Professor Dr. Arthur Lee was located on Saturday. Our hearts are broken over this news. Arthur was a truly wonderful person and a beloved friend, colleague, mentor and teacher. We’ve found some comfort during the last few weeks in sharing stories and good memories of Arthur. Counseling services have been made available for our campus community as we grieve this loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Arthur’s family and close friends. We will miss him more than words can say," Roane State said in a statement regarding the death of Lee.
Dr. Sylvia Pastor, an assistant professor at Roane State, said she got used to hearing his voice often.
"He's been teaching classes just around the corner from my office since I've been there," Pastor said. "I hear his voice all the time."
Pastor said Lee helped train middle school science teachers on a lab-in-a-box program and worked with inmates at the Morgan County Correctional Complex to help them get college degrees.
"There's nothing he won't do for our students and for the community," Pastor said.
One of his former students, Tiffany White, agreed.
"He's more like a friend than a professor because he has such a big heart," White said. "He had a very big heart and is just a wonderful guy."
They said the body was found in the water near 100 Melton Lake Peninsula. Investigators with ORPD responded along with crews from the fire department. A medical examiner also responded to the incident, according to a release from officials.
The body was taken to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center where an autopsy was performed, according to authorities. Police released an alert Saturday morning that they would be working in the area and drivers should expect delays. The alert later that day.