RJ Pimentel Memorial Fund

We are continually raising funds for The Rodney James Pimentel Memorial Scholarship, in honor of our dear friend, Rodney James (RJ) Pimentel, who was taken from us much too soon in May 2023 at the young age of 25. Funds raised will be used to support financially disadvantaged students in CA pursuing undergraduate STEM degrees — something that he was extremely passionate about. RJ was a remarkable soul. He embraced life with unwavering enthusiasm, inspiring all who knew him to find adventure and joy in each day. RJ was a mentor, a brother, and a best friend who was beloved by all. One of RJ’s most inspiring qualities was his dedication not only to his education but to the encouragement to others. His enthusiasm for learning and sharing knowledge was contagious. During his time at UC Berkeley, RJ studied Computer Science, while teaching classes on topics ranging from Sleep Psychology to iOS Development. He was a spirited and steadfast member of the Berkeley community, always encouraging those around him to get involved. In his honor, we have created this scholarship for California students in need studying STEM. In both 2024 and 2025, we successfully awarded $5,000 towards the tuition of our scholarship recipients, both of whom exemplified RJ’s compassion, curiosity, and generosity. We are continuing our fundraising efforts to hopefully grow this scholarship for many years to come! We thank you for your support and encourage you to share RJ’s story with others in hopes that they help us fund The Rodney James Pimentel Memorial Scholarship and keep his legacy alive. To stay updated on our mission, please visit us at our website friendsofrj.org.