Adolf Fokumlah

On Thursday July 14, 2022, Adolf Bengha Fokumlah (Ba Tita Wa’ati) passed away at the age of 75.

Adolf Bengha Fokumlah was born on Wednesday December 11, 1946 in Bali Nyonga to Fokumlah Philip and Kah Suzanna. He spent many of his childhood years in the North West Region especially in Bali and Nkambe while in Primary School. He also spent a short time in Mamfe while living with his sister and her husband.

Adolf attended Secondary School at Cameroon Protestant College (CPC), Bali, and high school at Cameroon College of Art, Science and Technology (CCAST), Bambili. Upon completion of his high school education, he was hired as a Trainee at Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC). In 1968, he was awarded a scholarship through the African Scholarship Program of American Universities (ASPAU) for Undergraduate Studies at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, and earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

While at the University, he met Valarie Patricia Bartley a native of St. Kitts, West Indies. They dated for over a year and got married in Hawaii on August 26, 1972. They built a home in Bobende, Cameroon and raised 4 children together. Adolf returned to work at CDC and was there for 38 years before he retired on December 31, 2003 as the Production Director. He and his family established LANNVA, their private Agricultural business which he spent a lot of his time growing.

Adolf was passionate about many things including family and education, ensuring that all of his children were educated at the University level, and helping many of his extended family members pursue their own education. He had a long-time love of tennis: even at 75 years of age, he could be found on the tennis courts at SS Club Bota several times a week, playing for hours. In the last few years, he developed a passion for naturopathic remedies, which combined with his love for farming was his main pastime in retirement. He was always one to share his knowledge and experience with any who would listen, hence his nickname 'Prof' among his friends and acquaintances.

Adolf was preceded in death by his daughter, Nina Ngohndab Fokumlah. He is survived by his wife Valarie Patricia Fokumlah; his children: Lela Kabisen Fokumlah, Alexander Njininkah Fokumlah, Nellie Febe Etombi Fisher née Fokumlah, Susan Nebisen Tita Wa’ati and Aaron Fengang Tita Wa’ati; his grand-children: Anna Kakizaki-Fokumlah, Hina Kakizaki-Fokumlah and Josiah Ryan Fisher; as well as several siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews.