Felix Farfan

Felix Farfan of Gaithersburg, Maryland passed away peacefully on December 27, 2024 in Olney, Maryland, with his devoted wife, Jane, and his loving son, Nelson, by his bedside. He was born in Tupiza, Bolivia to the late Clementina Soruco and Pedro Farfan.

Felix graduated with honors from the Technical University of Oruro, Bolivia as a mechanical design engineer. He was one of only four students to graduate from his large class in the Engineering Department.

Felix’s career began in La Paz, Bolivia where he worked on electrical power lines and then managed and maintained machines at a cotton factory. In the mid ‘70s, Felix decided to come to the United States to study computers. Felix worked tirelessly to maintain large electric machinery at the Joseph Smith & Sons scrap metal recycling dealer. To further his education, he studied Computer-Assisted-Design (CAD) at Montgomery College. His job at Chronometrics, Inc. involved developing innovative portable intelligence equipment for the military. At Solarex, Felix played a key role in advancing solar energy technology by developing a robotic air transportation system to delicately move fragile solar cells to prevent breakage and pave the way for improved production processes. Later, he created specialized lighting for L’Enfant Plaza in DC and buildings in Japan while working for Fusion Systems.

Felix’s inventive spirit extended beyond work. He found joy in hands-on projects, designing tools to fit his tasks, and solving problems especially for finding ways to do heavy-lifting jobs by himself. Hours were spent tinkering with VW Beetles and Vans and changing engines, often with his son, Nelson, by his side. Felix was also creative in artistic endeavors.

Felix had pride in his native country of Bolivia but made the decision to become a US Citizen in January of 1997. He enjoyed his extended family. Loving life, sharing happiness, demonstrating a sense of humor and telling jokes, playing pranks on his co-workers, and helping others by lending a hand (always the last to leave a party after helping to clean up), and giving encouragement to friends and family are descriptors of Felix.

Felix loved music and dancing. In his later years, when he couldn’t speak because of his Alzheimer’s disease, he would stop walking whenever he saw a baby, child or adult. He would reach out to them, tip his black hat and do his spontaneous dance moves to interact and bring smiles to others.

Felix loved to travel by train throughout many countries in Europe. He also enjoyed exploring both coasts of the United States and Canada. Seeing Puerto Rico, Cancun, Mexico and many of the cities in his native Bolivia added to his adventures. As he aged, going for a car ride or watching the airplanes at the local airport interested him. But if he saw a travel brochure, he would still say, “Let’s go!!”

Felix enjoyed the love and companionship of his beloved wife of 37 years and best friend of 44 years, Jane Workinger Farfan. He always supported her school activities, and she gave him strength and joy in his last years. Felix is also survived by his son, Nelson, (Katja), grandsons Colin and Shawn, of Germany; his son, Daniel, (Tanya), grandchildren Maxwell and Maya of Florida; brother-in-law, Brian Workinger (Penny) and niece, Diane, of Rockville, Maryland, and a large extended family in Virginia, Bolivia and Sweden. Many friends will miss him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pedro and Clementina; his first wife and Nelson’s mother, Magda; his older siblings Feliciano, Sarah, Esther, and Manuel; Jane’s parents, Theodore and Elaine Workinger; and a close friend, Felix Acebey from his university days.

A service to celebrate Felix’s life and to gather for his birthday will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 16420 S. Westland Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 3:00pm.

Should you wish to make a donation in Felix’s memory, please consider:

JSSA Hospice, 6123 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20850, www.jssa.org. The nurses came daily to bring Felix comfort and peace in his final days.

Montgomery College Foundation, Scholarship Fund

9221 Corporate Blvd., 3rd Floor Rockville, MD. 20850 https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/alumni-friends-donors/foundation/donate.html. Felix would always encourage young people who were working in entry level jobs to go back to Montgomery College and get an education.

Felix’s final spoken word, “Thank you”, reflected the gratitude and kindness that defined each day of his life.