'Destined For Amazing Things': Gifted Ursinus Student Dies At 18

COLLEGEVILLE, PA — An Ursinus College freshman just a few weeks into his college career died over the weekend. Aidan Inteso, an outdoorsman, athlete, son, big brother, and friend to many was 18.

Aidan passed away suddenly on Sept. 13 at Einstein Medical Center in East Norriton due to complications related to undiagnosed cardiomegaly, according to an obituary shared by the college.

A member of the school's just-arrived class of 2024, Aidan had designs on environmental studies and conservation work, with a dream of working in the National Parks, his obituary states. An avid fisherman, he spent his early weeks on campus scouting out spots to explore along Donny Brook and the Perkiomen Creek just off campus, and his youth exploring Barnegat Bay and surf-fishing Island Beach State Park in New Jersey.

Aidan was a graduate of the class of 2020 at Toms River East High School, where he served as captain of the ice hockey team his senior year.

"Aidan embodied everything you could hope for in a student athlete," the ice hockey program shared in an online tribute. " On the ice, there was nobody tougher. Off the ice, Aidan was a kind and caring person, earning him the admiration of all who knew him."

His work at Toms River earned him numerous awards, including the "Warrior Award," and Ursinus made him a prestigious Abele Scholar and a recipient of a Gateway Academic Scholarship.

Tributes poured in from friends and acquaintances both new and old, all of which pointed to someone deeply caring and compassionate who made everyone he met feel special.

Ursinus has already found several ways to recognize the deep impact which Aiden had on the school and student body in his short time on campus. A mural in his honor has been imprinted into the iconography of the smokestack on campus. They've also announced plans to plant a tree in his honor on campus.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Aidan M. Inteso Memorial Scholarship, details of which are forthcoming.

Visitation will be held on Sept. 20 at Huddy Park on 39 E. Water Street in Toms River, New Jersey, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Services will begin at 4:30 p.m.