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
Capt Kerry Putt - Class of 1975 , CS-01

Deceased on October 8, 1980

2d Lt Lawrence Ridge - Class of 1975 , CS-20

Deceased on December 10, 1976

Maj (Ret) Charles Riordan III - Class of 1975 , CS-28

Deceased on February 27, 2005

Col (Ret) Mark Rogers - Class of 1975 , CS-19

Deceased on October 14, 2023 - Informed on October 18, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Service information: Memorial service at 1400 hours 21 Oct 2023 at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. Interment: 1000 hours on 4 June 2024 at the USAFA Cemetery. Memorial Donations: The Association of Graduates and Academy Foundation https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1885/21/interior-2col.aspx?sid=1885&gid=2&pgid=418&cid=1063 or Cibolo Center for Conservation https://cibolo.org/ Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/mark-rogers-obituary?id=53367740

Lt Col (Ret) Michael Ruth - Class of 1975 , CS-03

Deceased on May 7, 2018 - Informed on May 15, 2018

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service was held on 12 May 2018 at the Kearney Community Covenant Church. A graveside service will be held on 11 Jun 2018 at 1000 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. In the event of inclement weather the service will be moved to the Memorial Pavilion.

Col (Ret) Samuel Ryals - Class of 1975 , CS-13

Deceased on October 15, 2022 - Informed on October 18, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Celebration of Life will be held from 1600-1900 hours on 10 Dec 22 at Southbrooke Christian Church, 9095 Washington Church Rd, Miamisburg, OH 45342.

Mr. Rodolfo Saavedra-Ferrere - Class of 1975 , CS-18

Deceased on September 28, 2023 - Informed on October 2, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Wake was held 30 Sep 2023 Tomás Basáñez in Monetevideo, Uruguay. Obituary: http://www.abbate.com.uy/obituarios/rodolfo-saavedra-ferrere-16001

Mr. Charlie Sargent - Class of 1975 , CS-24

Deceased on June 4, 2017 - Informed on June 12, 2017

Service information is unavailable. Condolences and tributes may be left online at www.forevermissed.com.

Maj (Ret) Roy Sawyer II - Class of 1975 , CS-25

Deceased on April 14, 2022 - Informed on April 15, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. His funeral service will be held on 21 Jun 2022 at 1400 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. No obituary is available.

Maj (Ret) Carl Schwartz - Class of 1975 , CS-01

Deceased on April 29, 2019 - Informed on June 4, 2019

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services were held on 1 Jun 2019 in Wesley Chapel, FL. He was cremated. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project; PO Box 758517; Topeka, KS 66675; (877) 448-3997; www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Page 6 of 9 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