Daniel Rojas Memorial Fund

While wandering through the world of social media, I came across this incredible story. A Colombian immigrant, Daniel Rojas graduated from Metro State and eventually attained his dream of becoming a pilot. Unfortunately, he died this year. A fund has been set up to educate his daughter, Gaby. Read on...

Store by Andrea Rawlinson Johnson

Metro State Alumni Daniel Rojas lost his life January 15, 2009 in a tragic aviation-related accident near Wray, Colorado.

I had the honor of meeting Daniel as he was hired as a co-pilot on our Lear Jet with AirLife Denver. I was incredibly impressed with his determination to overcome the obstacles that he had faced to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot.

Daniel grew up in Medellín, Colombia, amid the constant threat of danger and violence in the ongoing battle between the Colombian government and drug cartels. His uncle moved to the United States and later sent Daniel a one-way ticket here. Daniel arrived in Denver in September of 1998, at age 23, unable to speak English, with $500, a pair of tennis shoes, two changes of clothes, and a belief in the American Dream. He enrolled in the ESL (english as a second language) program at CU-Denver and got a job with the Denver Post delivering 500 newspapers a day on TWO newspaper routes. He subsequently took on an additional job as a Shift Supervisor for Starbucks. During this time, Daniel decided to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a pilot. He enrolled at Metro State College full-time (while working two jobs) and received a BS in Aviation Technology in 2004.

While building flying time and finishing his pilot ratings, Daniel was a Line Service Technician for Denver Jet Center and then worked the counter at the Pilot Shop at Centennial Airport. He went to work for Flights, Inc. teaching new pilots and was recently promoted to Assistant Chief Flight Instructor. In August 2006, he began flying part-time as a contract pilot for J-W Operating Company, an oil and gas services company with headquarters in Dallas and offices around the country. Daniel flew a Cessna 210, Aerostar, and Turbo Commander for J-W.

Daniel was hired by International Jet August 2008 as a Learjet First Officer and he was recently certified as a First Officer on our King Air. At his request, he had been assigned to our AirLife of Denver air ambulance. He was an excellent pilot and stellar employee.

Daniel is survived by his wife, Leslie, and their 20-month-old daughter Gabriela ("Gaby") and his extended family.

Please forward this message to anyone who might be interested.

Daniel's Memory can be honored with donations to Gabriela's education Fund.

Mail Checks to:
Gabriela's Educational Fund c/o Leslie Rojas
Wells Fargo Bank
10900 S. Parker Rd
Parker, CO 80134