Gone But Not Forgotten

Honoring fallen comrades is an important part of the AOG mission and we ask to be notified as soon as possible of the death of any graduate, Air Training Officer or cadet so that we can take appropriate actions. The AOG has learned of the following deaths within the past 90 days.

For best results, try searching by Last Name (e.g. Smith), Class Year (e.g. 1959), or Cadet Squadron (e.g. CS-01). More complex searches may not return desired results.

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Mr. George Van Wagenen - Class of 1967 , CS-15

Deceased on June 9, 2025 - Informed on June 26, 2025

Memorial Service: 1000 hours 8 July 2025 at the Memorial Pavilion at the USAFA Cemetery. Inurnment with full military honors will follow at the USAFA Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Eisenhower Golf Club following inurnment. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at https://www.michaeljfox.org/ or to the Air Force Academy Foundation at https://give.usafa.org/campaigns/43504/donations/new. Obituary: https://www.afterall.com/obituaries/d-20360962/colorado-springs-colorado/george-edwin-van-wagenen/june-2025

Col (Ret) Charles Bisbee III - Class of 1970 , CS-03

Deceased on May 7, 2025 - Informed on June 17, 2025

Services have not been scheduled at this time. Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/henderson-nv/charles-bisbee-12369609

Capt (Ret) Kenneth Sampson - Class of 1964 , CS-24

Deceased on June 10, 2025 - Informed on June 13, 2025

Service details: A burial service will be held at a later date at the USAFA Cemetery.

Capt Stephen Edmiston - Class of 2005 , CS-35

Deceased on May 20, 2025 - Informed on June 13, 2025

Memorial Service: 1400 hours 2 June 2025 at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery Chapel, 2200 East Gov. John Sevier Higway, Hwy 168, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37920. Obituary: https://www.mccammonammonsclick.com/obituaries/stephen-edmiston

2d Lt Riley Hoven - Class of 2024

Deceased on May 19, 2025 - Informed on June 13, 2025

Mass of Christian Burial: 1000 hours 27 May 2025, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 214 E. 2nd St., Wahoo, NE 68066. Interment with Military Honors was held at St. Francis Cemetery, 1600 County Rd K, Wahoo, NE 68066 Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/journalstar/name/riley-hoven-obituary?id=58471085

Col (Ret) Eric Lindemann - Class of 1965 , CS-17

Deceased on May 14, 2025 - Informed on June 13, 2025

Funeral Service: 1315 hours 4 June 2025 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 208 W Pearl St., Batesville, IN 47006. Burial follows at Batesville United Methodist Cemetery,1-15 S Mulberry St, Batesville, IN 47006. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 208 W Pearl St., Batesville, IN 47006 or to the St. Mark's Lutheran Cemetery, 208 W Pearl St., Batesville, IN 47006. Obituary: https://wrbiradio.com/eric-luther-rick-lindemann/

Lt Col (Ret) Anne Campbell - Class of 1983 , CS-27

Deceased on May 7, 2025 - Informed on June 13, 2025

Memorial Service: 1000 hours 7 June 2025, at the Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 675 W. Baptist Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80921. A reception will immeidately follow. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, https://ocrahope.org/. Obituary: https://obits.gazette.com/us/obituaries/gazette/name/anne-campbell-obituary?id=58414344&_gl=1*1czutyj*_gcl_au*MTc3MTExNTA2OC4xNzQ5NTk0NjE2

Col (Ret) Thomas Kramer - Class of 1968 , CS-17

Deceased on April 12, 2025 - Informed on June 11, 2025

Funearl Service: 1000 hours on 28 July 2025, at the USAFA Cemetery, Colorado Springs, CO. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimers Association, https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=962180&fr_id=1060&pg=fund. Obituary: https://www.cremation-society.com/obituaries/Thomas-Noble-Kramer?obId=42606530

Mr. Michael Charles - Class of 1966 , CS-06

Deceased on June 6, 2025 - Informed on June 10, 2025

Memorial Service: Private services were held for family. Interment: At a later date at the USAFA Cemetery.

Lt Col (Ret) Wyatt Fleming - Class of 1981 , CS-32

Deceased on December 6, 2024 - Informed on June 10, 2025

Service details: A service will be held at a later date in North Pole, Alaska. Obituary: https://www.colonialchapelbaysprings.com/obituary/lt-col-wyatt-fleming-ret

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Next of Kin

For Next of Kin support resources please visit: https://www.usafanextofkin.org/

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten annual publication

The Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation has introduced a new benefit to better memorialize USAFA graduates and support their families.

Gone But Not Forgotten, which appeared in Checkpoints magazine for decades, has transitioned to a dedicated, annual publication. The inaugural edition of Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten published in March 2025.

A: As the Academy’s graduate population ages, Checkpoints has become increasingly insufficient in accommodating the growing number of submitted memorial articles.
A: The new Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten publication honors the Long Blue Line by sharing the personal stories of graduates, cadets, Air Training Officers and AOG Honorary Members. It reflects our mission to support the Academy, serve graduates and preserve the heritage of the institution and Long Blue Line.
A: We considered several cost-effective, impactful options and consulted with our peers at the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy. West Point’s TAPS publication provided an excellent model for this new publication.
A: One complimentary copy is provided to a loved one of the deceased memorialized in the publication. Additional printed copies are available for a nominal fee of $25 each. The digital version is available at no cost to all AOG members.
A: AOG members can access the digital issue at usafa.org. If you are not a member but wish to join and access this benefit and others, membership is available at no cost to all USAFA graduates here.
A: Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten is available for $25 here or by calling 719-472-0300. The fee supports providing one complimentary copy to families of those memorialized.
A: See below:
A: Past memorial articles printed in Checkpoints are available as a commemorative keepsake for $15 each. These keepsakes include the photo that ran with the tribute and are printed on sturdy paper, suitable for framing. Articles come enclosed in a blue linen folder and can be ordered here or by calling 719-472-0300. Commemorative keepsake orders will ship or be available for pickup within two weeks of the order date.
A: See below:
A: A major benefit of transitioning to an annual publication is that 2025 memorial articles may run up to 800 words — double the current limit. In the 2026 Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten memorial publication — which will include deaths in 2025 — each article will be presented on its own full page.
A: Email a recent favorite photo of the deceased. The photo (head and shoulders, color preferred) should be emailed as a high-resolution .jpg. Low-resolution image submissions may be declined in favor of a cadet yearbook photo.
A: Submit a memorial article and photo through a form at usafanextofkin.org or email deceasednotifications@usafa.org.
A: One of the major benefits of transitioning to a dedicated, annual publication is that memorial articles can now be up to 800 words. In the 2026 Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten memorial publication — which will include deaths in 2025 — each article will be presented on its own full page.
A: Memorial articles for deaths in 2025 should be emailed when ready to ensure the Association and Foundation can post the tribute on usafa.org/heritage/gbnf.
A: The last issue memorial articles appeared in Checkpoints was in December 2024, but death notices will continue to be published in Checkpoints.
A: Death notices will be printed in each issue of Checkpoints.
A: See below:
A: Memorial articles for deaths in 2025 will be printed around March 2026.
A: Call 719-472-0300 or email Terri Davis, next-of-kin support specialist, at deceasednotifications@usafa.org.

Gone But Not Forgotten