Hector L. Rojas

Héctor L. Rojas, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to so many, passed away on October 24th, 2025 at the age of 86. He was born on February 1, 1939, in Antofagasta, Chile; son of Héctor Rojas Albornoz and Hilda Rojas Guerra, and brother to Ernesto and Luis Rojas.

Héctor's father was a mining engineer who ran his own copper plant in Chile during the mid- 1960’s to early 1970's, a path that deeply influenced Héctor’s own career. Following in his father’s footsteps, he pursued a degree in Mining Engineering, beginning his studies at Universidad del Norte, where he met his future wife, Myriam. He continued his education at Universidad Católica de Valparaíso before deciding to move to the United States in 1961 to complete his studies at the University of Texas at El Paso. He was soon joined by Myriam, married, and later welcomed their son, Héctor Emilio Rojas.

After graduating in 1965, Héctor and his family returned to Chile, where he worked for three years at the Anaconda Copper Mine in Chuquicamata, one of the world’s largest copper mines. Upon returning to the United States, he began working for the private industry at Molycorp in New Mexico before starting a long and successful career with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and later the General Accounting Office. In 1990 he received the GEM award from the Society of Mining Engineers acknowledging one’s role in promoting and educating others about the mining Industry.

Throughout his life, Héctor embraced every opportunity for adventure. His passion began early, with a love for motorcycles and his Triumph Tiger in the 1950s. After college, he earned his multi-engine private pilot’s license in the mid-1960s and spent years flying with his wife and young son on trips across the country in his 1964 Piper Twin-Engine Comanche. Having sold the plane and moved to the Washington DC area, the proximity to the Chesapeake Bay attracted his attention to boating. In the early 1980's, he

obtained his first sail boat and continued changing from sail to power with his current beloved Viking power boat. Boating was a family affair and continued to be so with his growing family by his side. His son has followed in his father's footsteps and is also a mining engineer.

To those who knew him, Héctor was a true gentleman. He had the remarkable ability to make friends with anyone in half a second, often through his animated storytelling and infectious laughter. Whether sharing tales from his adventures or simply chatting over a good meal, he made everyone around him feel welcome and at ease. This was highlighted through his yearly New Year’s party where he shared his love of classical music, taught his grandchildren to make canapés, and dressed up in his best tuxedo.

Héctor is survived by his wife, Myriam, and his son, Héctor Emilio; his three grandchildren, Nicole, Christine, and Héctor Alexander; and his great-granddaughter, Savannah. He is also survived by his brothers and extended family in Chile. Lastly, he will be remembered by his faithful corgi, Archie. Héctor’s legacy will live on in the stories he told, the friendships he built, and the laughter he inspired.

His family and friends will remember him not only for his many adventures, but for the way he made life itself an adventure worth sharing.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude' Children's Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=home-btn-donate-now