OT: Midshipman dies from meningitis (had shot in July)

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Midshipman, 20, dies of meningitis complications

By Kathleen Brady Shea

Inquirer Staff Writer

A local Naval Academy midshipman who was known for his faith, focus

and sense of humor will be remembered today at his funeral at the

Naval Academy Chapel in polis, Md.

Midshipman Fourth Class Frederick Henry Eissler, 20, of West Chester,

died Monday of Neisseria meningitis, an academy news release said.

" Fred possessed a great attitude and treated the Naval Academy as a

giant family, which made him beloved by his shipmates, " his company

officer, Lt. Lehner, said yesterday. " He came from a tight-

knit family with high values and applied them here on a day-to-day

basis. "

Eissler, who received a meningococcal vaccine when he entered the

academy in July, became ill Nov. 12, the Navy news release said. He

was taken to Baltimore Washington Medical Center for treatment of

possible meningitis and transferred " for further care " to the

University of land Medical Center, where he died, the release

said.

The vaccine covers nearly 70 percent of the possible agents that can

cause meningitis but does not protect against the strain Eissler

contracted, the release said.

Eissler, a 2007 graduate of Archmere Academy in Claymont, Del.,

attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School for a year before

joining the Naval Academy's Class of 2012 in July.

Burdziak, who chairs the religion department and coaches

football at Archmere, described Eissler as a respectful, disciplined,

fun-loving student " of solid faith " who was eager to follow his

father's footsteps to polis.

Eissler's father, Frederick A. Eissler, graduated from the academy in

1983, an academy representative said.

Eissler, who played football all four years, came from a strong

religious background and " adhered to those principles, " Burdziak

said.

Eissler's father and mother, Helene, graduated from Archmere in 1979.

The oldest of Eissler's four younger sisters also attends the school.

More than 100 people attended a memorial service and Mass at the

school Tuesday night, Burdziak said.

" Physically, he was imposing - a big, strapping redhead, " Burdziak

said.

He said Eissler's strength in other areas, such as his loyalty to

family and friends, had been quieter, with one exception.

" He would always have a strong, hearty laugh, " Burdziak recalled.

Asked why he had came to the Naval Academy, Eissler cited the

education, his goal of becoming an F/A-18 pilot, and his desire " to

give back to his country, " said Lehner, the 22d Company officer.

He said Eissler was the second Philadelphia-area academy freshman to

die this year.

On May 5, Dickmann, a 19-year-old 2007 Unionville High School

graduate, was found unconscious by her roommates and rushed to a

hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Nearly two months later, the

Medical Examiner's Office blamed the death on an abnormal heart

rhythm.