Service Set For ROTC Cadet From Ridgewood Who Died During Training

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Services are being held this week for Ridgewood resident and Rutgers student Neil Edara, an Army cadet who died during a training exercise last week.

Edara became unresponsive on July 24 during training at Fort Knox in Kentucky, according to ROTC officials. READ MORE: Army Cadet From Ridgewood Dies During Training.

An obituary said Edara was a "loving, vivacious and curious child with a myriad of interests and hobbies. He earned a black belt in Taekwondo and enjoyed playing soccer, ice hockey, and running around with his cherished dog, Rex (now 13 years old)."

He was a Life Scout in the Boy Scouts, a pre-med student at Rutgers, and wanted to be a trauma surgeon in the Army, the obit says. He also had served as a volunteer EMT in Ridgewood.

"Yesterday, joined by volunteers from Ridgewood Emergency Services and surrounding law enforcement agencies, we escorted E.S. Member, Army ROTC Cadet, and Ridgewood resident Neil Edara from Newark airport to Feeney Funeral Home where his services will be held this week," wrote the Ridgewood police on Thursday.

A service has been scheduled 3:15 p.m. Friday (Aug. 1) at Feeney Funeral Home in Ridgewood.

More information about services is here.