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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Lt Col (Ret) Patrick Ash - Class of 1975 , CS-10

Deceased on February 16, 2011 - Informed on February 22, 2011

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services were held in Anchorage AK on 21 Feb 2011 at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish. A FuneralService will be held on 14 Mar 2011 at 1100 hrs at the USAFA Cadet Catholic Chapel. Interment will immediately follow at the USAFA Cemetery.

Lt Col (Ret) Steven Barber - Class of 1975 , CS-21

Deceased on June 14, 2017 - Informed on June 21, 2017

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Memorial Service will be held on 24 Jun 2017 at 1100hrs. at Steverson, Hamlin, Hilbish Funeral Home & Cremations; 226 E Burleigh Blvd.; Tavares, FL 32778. (352) 508-1665 www.steversonhamlinhilbish.com Luncheon to immediately follow at Mission Inn Resort & Club; 10400 County Rd 48; Howey in the Hills, FL 34737. Please RSVP for luncheon at (407) 310-0675 The family has suggested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Caring Canines Therapy Dogs; 2991 Westgate Dr; Eustis, FL 32726 (352) 406-3399 www.cctd.org Steven's ashes were placed in the USAFA Cemetery Columbarium on 26 June 2017. There was no service and his family was not in attendance.

Maj Joseph Benner - Class of 1975 , CS-38

Deceased on December 10, 1987

Col (Ret) Charles Bergman - Class of 1975 , CS-25

Deceased on December 25, 2016 - Informed on December 29, 2016

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation will held on 31 Dec 2016 beginning at 1000 hours. The funeral service will begin at 1100 hours. Both events will take place at the Deer River Bible Church; 34471 State Hiwy 6; Deer River, MN 56636 (218) 246-9570. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery.

Mr. Larry Bishop - Class of 1975 , CS-26

Deceased on November 5, 2017 - Informed on November 13, 2017

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Mr. Bishop graduated from CS-26. Visitation will be held on 13 Nov 2015 from 1800-1700 hours at St. Anne Catholic Church; 10109 E Lexington Ave; Independence, MO 64053. A memorial mass will immediately follow. Bruial will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery; 20109 Business Hwy 13; Higginsville, MO 64037 on 14 Nov 2017 at 1200 hours. His family has requested no flowers but has suggested that memorial donations be made to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be left online for his family at www.legacy.com.

Capt Thomas Brundige IV - Class of 1975 , CS-04

Deceased on December 15, 1981

Mr. Jose Castro-Aguirre - Class of 1975 , CS-03

Deceased on April 16, 2006

Mr. Gary Cox - Class of 1975 , CS-12

Deceased on February 12, 2020 - Informed on February 14, 2020

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral service will be held on 18 Feb 2020 at 1830 hours at Holy Cross Lutheran Church; 9970 Foothills Canyon Blvd; Highlands Ranch CO 80129. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to Focus on the Family; Wait No More; 8605 Explorer Drive; Colorado Springs CO 80920; (800) 232-6459; www.focusonthefamily.com.

Capt Michael Cox - Class of 1975 , CS-10

Deceased on May 22, 1985

Col (Ret) Thomas Darner - Class of 1975 , CS-23

Deceased on July 19, 2024 - Informed on September 4, 2024

Please contact the Assocation of Graduates for condolence information. Burial service: Burial will be held at a later date at the Arlington Nation Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Obituary: https://neptunesociety.com/obituaries/plantation-fl/thomas-darner-11907237

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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