Rafael - Vargas

With profound sadness, we share the passing of beloved husband, father and brother, Rafael Vargas, who passed away on October 24, 2024, at the age of 84. 

Rafael, fondly known as Rafa, was born to Rafael Vargas Corchuelo and Ana Felisa Rozo de Vargas, on February 1, 1940, in Bogota, Colombia. Having arrived in the U.S. in the mid-sixties, Rafael’s profession as an electrical engineer allowed him to travel the world. In 1978, Rafael went to work for Frederick Electronics Corp in Frederick, Maryland where he settled for the last time and made life-long friends.

A man of sharp humor and intelligence, Rafael treasured every moment spent with loved ones, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed sharing his inexhaustible list of jokes and his passion for music and dance with anyone willing to lend an ear or swing around a dance floor. His love for Colombia, his annual July 20th celebrations, his wood-working, love of languages and, of course, his devotion to his antique MGB, tagged, “Viejo,” will forever be remembered. 

Rafael is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lina Vargas, daughters Cristina Bressler and Constanza Russell, sons-in-law Rick and David, sister Aleyda Dodds, brothers Edgar Vargas Rozo and Alvaro Vargas Rozo, grandchildren Briana, Sara, Lucas, Samuel, and Joshua, as well as beloved nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his father and mother Rafael and Ana, his sister Myriam Vargas de Vaca, and nephews Richard Dodds, and Peter Dodds. 

A funeral mass will be held at St. Katherine Drexel Catholic Church in Frederick, Maryland on November 26 at 11:00 am with inurnment immediately following at the St. Katharine Drexel Memorial Garden at Bloomfield-Clemson. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the causes close to Rafael’s heart such as the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/ to help other's with cancer or St. Katherine Drexel Catholic Church in his name.