Sgt. 1st Class Yan Rochanski, z”l

Sergeant First Class Yan Rochanski, son of Marina and Felix and only brother to Michael, was born in St. Petersburg (Leningrad), Russia, in the former Soviet Union.

Yan was a bright and curious child. Even as a boy, he was fascinated by how devices worked. As he grew older, he developed a deep interest in science. He began his studies in his hometown. In the summer of 1990, at the age of eight, he immigrated to Israel with his family and settled in Herzliya. Yan easily adapted to his new surroundings and attended Herzl Elementary School. Later, he studied at Re’ut Junior High and Yovel High School, where he majored in science and robotics, excelling as a student.

Yan had a contagious laugh. He was warm and caring, generous, modest, and noble. He was loved and respected by friends and teachers alike. As a student, he achieved remarkable success. In the robotics program, he participated in the “Safes Project” and “Roboner,” where he built a robot. In twelfth grade, he reached an impressive milestone when his team advanced to the international robotics competition in the United States. A brilliant future lay ahead for him as an engineer.

In his free time, Yan enjoyed playing computer games. He also loved billiards, socializing, and dancing, and he was considered the life of the party among his friends. He was a loyal friend, a great listener, and someone who always gave wise and thoughtful advice.

In July 2000, Yan enlisted in the IDF. He insisted on serving in a combat role and volunteered for the elite Yahalom Unit. Even when faced with difficulties, he never gave up on himself. Yan became a skilled, sociable, and beloved fighter. His comrades in the squadron nicknamed him “Number 1.” He completed the training, served as a combat soldier, and later qualified as a team commander. The unit commander said, “You made tremendous progress until you naturally became one of the unit’s most professional team commanders. You always asked if help was needed or if there was anything more to do. Everything you did was carried out with exemplary perfection. It didn’t matter what the mission was or what time of day it was.”

Yan completed his mandatory service and, in July 2003, signed up for career military service. For his final mission, he volunteered. When suspicion arose that an explosives site was on the Lebanese border, he requested to take on the task of clearing the area, and his request was approved. Yan went to the western sector of the northern border, commanding an armored D9 bulldozer.

On January 19, 2004, while engaged in clearing the explosives site on the Lebanese border, an anti-tank missile fired by Hezbollah from Lebanese territory struck the bulldozer under his command. Yan was critically wounded. He died of his injuries on the way to the hospital. He was 21.5 years old. Yan was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Herzliya. A comrade from the unit said, quoting a Yehuda Poliker song: “Yan, tell me, what do you do with a friend like you? What do you do with your death? With the memory of your presence? With a friend like you, who remained forever twenty?”

May his memory be blessed.