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.

Reset
Lt Col (Ret) John Elfers - Class of 1963 , CS-14

Deceased on July 2, 2016 - Informed on July 6, 2016

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation will be from 1400-1800 on 10 Jul 2016 at the Hoof Funeral Home; 312 N Park St; Reedsburg, WI 53959 (608) 524-2337 www.hooffuneralhome.com. A funeral service will be held on 11 Jul 2016 at 1100 hours at St John's Lutheran Church; 380 Walnut St; Logansville, WI 53943 (608) 727-2000. The family has suggested that memorial donations in lieu of flowers be made to St John's Lutheran Church.

Mr. John Evans , Jr. - Class of 1963 , CS-05

Deceased on August 14, 1990

Maj (Ret) Norman Fairhurst - Class of 1963 , CS-13

Deceased on June 1, 1984

Maj (Ret) William Fanning , Jr. - Class of 1963 , CS-10

Deceased on July 26, 1998

Col (Ret) James Fausey - Class of 1963 , CS-01

Deceased on April 25, 2016 - Informed on May 11, 2016

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service was held at the time of his passing. Funeral services are pending at this time. He was cremated.

Lt Col (Ret) Dennis Fendelander - Class of 1963 , CS-10

Deceased on December 13, 2018 - Informed on December 20, 2018

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Update: A Celebration of Life Service will be held on 2 Feb 2019 at 1100 hours at the St. Julie Billiart Church; 2475 Borchard Rd; Newbury Park, CA 91320; (805) 498-3602. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the American Cancer Society; PO Box 22718; Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718; (800) 227-2345; www.cancer.org.

Lt Col (Ret) Stuart Fenske - Class of 1963 , CS-01

Deceased on August 28, 2008 - Informed on September 2, 2008

Condolences: Mr Todd Fenske C/O Association of Graduates. Memorial Services: December 29, 2008, 10:00 a.m., Protestant Chapel, USAFA.

1st Lt Thomas Fiedler - Class of 1963 , CS-21

Deceased on July 11, 1965

Col (Ret) William Flanagan - Class of 1963 , CS-14

Deceased on February 24, 2010 - Informed on March 2, 2010

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral service: 4 Mar 2010 at 1000 hrs at Solimine, Landergan & Richardson Funeral Home, 67 Ocean St (Rt 1A), Lynn, MA 01902

Mr. Thomas Fox - Class of 1963 , CS-02

Deceased on May 12, 2000

Page 6 of 23 total

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