PLAINVIEW, N.Y. -- Police said on Thursday that they have made an arrest in connection with the hit-and-run death of a beloved professor and role model on Long Island.

Joseph Kohler, 57, of Plainview, is charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident, Nassau County police said.

The death of Gurcharan Singh, 77, a scholar and a professor, plunged his Sikh community into mourning. Singh was a counselor to New York's members of the community and a philanthropist devoted to bringing people of different faiths and nationalities together, according to family and friends.

"He is the gem of our community," said friend Paul Kandhari. "If there was a family problem, he'll be there. If the father and son have a problem, he'll be there."

The Plainview father of three and grandfather was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while walking from his home to church Friday night.

Dr. Singh was crossing Old Country Road in Plainview just after 8 p.m. headed for the Sikh temple, when a red or maroon car traveling westbound ran a red light, struck him and kept going, police told Nuzzo.

Singh was airlifted to Nassau University Medical Center with multiple fractures and head trauma, but he did not survive.

"My father was a very selfless man who served his community and society with all his heart, and we'd really love any assistance in finding the individual who did this," said Surinder Singh, the victim's son.

Once a professor at Columbia University, Singh taught political science and international studies at Marymount Manhattan College for more than three decades and continued to teach part-time, NewsChannel 4's Aimee Nuzzo reported.

A statement from Marymount Manhattan College said the "community is deeply saddened by the news of Professor Singh's death. He served as a devoted teacher at the college for many years, and his loss will be felt by all of our faculty, staff, students and alumni. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time."

Dr. Singh's friends said they have no doubt the selfless humanitarian would have forgiven the hit-and-run driver who took his life. They said they hoped that would help whoever is responsible to come forward.