A 22-year-old U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman from Harpswell was found dead in his room on Thursday night.
According to a statement from the academy, Rolando Amador was found dead in his dormitory, Bancroft Hall, at around 9 p.m.
Despite the ongoing investigation, officials say foul play or criminal activity is not suspected in his death.
Amador was a junior at the Naval Academy and a member of the 16th Company, majoring in mechanical engineering and participating in intramural sports. Prior to his time at the academy, Amador attended Naval Academy Preparatory School for one year.
The academy is offering counseling and support services to midshipmen, staff and faculty members.
As a 2011 graduate of Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham, Amador’s passing has spurred an overwhelming response from the community. Following his death, the school website posted a photo of Amador and Dr. Craig King on their sports page with this tribute:
“He was a tremendous three-sport athlete and an even better human being. He possessed all the attributes you would want in a son: strong, but caring; proud, but humble; responsible, but funloving. He was quick to help, contribute and smile. His bearing gave those in his presence an increased level of confidence, optimism and hope. He will be missed.”
King, the superintendent of Regional School Unit 10, was the principal of Mt. Ararat High School when Amador was a student, and knew his family well. According to King, Amador was a well-rounded student and a seasoned varsity player, who tutored in Spanish and also worked a part-time job in his spare time.
When asked about Amador’s personality, King said his sincerity and integrity stood out the most. “I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to him or interacted with him and heard him express anything that was negative about anyone or anything.”
King recalled a time when Amador visited him after his first or second year in the academy. “He was proud of the fact that he was at the Naval Academy — he felt he achieved something,” King told The Times Record.
And despite all his accomplishments, King noted that Amador had a grateful attitude, attributing his success to the teachers at Mt. Ararat and others who prepared him for his future and helped him get to where he needed to be.
King concluded, “Rolando was Rolando. And platitudes have their limited values, but he was such a wonderful person.”
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