Obituary of Renato H. Rojas MD

Renato H. Rojas, MD. Age 91 of Horseheads, NY. He was born October 24, 1932 in Santiago, Chile, the son of the late Juan and Erna (Stolze) Rojas, and passed away peacefully in the care of the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA on Monday September 16th, 2024. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his son Sean Paul Rojas; brothers Oscar and Lionel Rojas; and cousin Larry Catlin. He is survived by his wife of 46 years Janice (Pease) Rojas; sons Eric (Suzanne) Gabrielson Jr., and Joseph Michael (Ana Marie) Rojas; daughter Cristin (Robert) Gates of Pennsylvania; grandchildren Scarlett Grace Rojas, Evan, Anthony, and Lauren Miller; aunt Evelyn Catlin of Virginia; sister-in-law Joyce (Brian) Cunningham of Horseheads, and Monica Rojas of Chile; nephews Jamie (René) Burgess of Horseheads, and Justin (Becky) Pfaff of Horseheads; cousins Linda and Jim Ely of Virginia; good friends John Laughlin of Montour Falls, Debbie Hicks of Horseheads, and Robert Dodds of New Jersey; along with so many others whose lives he impacted. Earning his undergraduate degree in biology and his medical degree in biology and his medical degree at the Catholic University of Chile, he completed a rotating internship at Lynn Hospital in Lynn, Massachusetts, residencies in pathology and radiology at Faulkner Lemuel Shadduck and Mt. Aurburn Hospitals in Boston, as well as his post-doctoral fellowship in cardiovascular radiology at Yale University in New Haven Connecticut. Dr. Rojas stayed on to teach as a professor of radiology at Yale for several years before deciding to go into practice. As board certified in radiology, as well as diagnostic and nuclear radiology, his long career continued in Elmira where he worked with Arnot Odgen Medical Center for 26 years until his first retirement. Following his departure from Arnot, a fervor to continue in his profession led to another 8 years working with Guthrie and Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania. Dr. Rojas enjoyed his time outside of his work; he was a pilot, alongside Janice, for more than 30 years. They gave up flying to cruise Seneca Lake in his dream, the "Seneca Chief". He most enjoyed watching lake sunsets with a glass of Chilean or Seneca Lake wine, which he called "Rainwater". He excelled in the kitchen, to the delight of family and friends. He and Janice also shared a love of scuba diving. Family and friends are invited to visit the Barber Funeral Home, 413 S. Main Street in Horseheads, on Thursday, September 19th, 2024 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. His Service of Christian Burial will be held at the funeral home on Friday, September 20th, 2024 at 10 am. Reverend Christopher E. Linsler officiating. Committal prayers and interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery. His family will provide flowers; those wishing may honor his memory with a donation to a charity of your choice.