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. Robert Bush - Class of 1976 , CS-04

Deceased on December 11, 2014 - Informed on January 15, 2015

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services were held in South Carolina and Sonoma, CA. The family has suggested that donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Chordoma Foundation; PO Box 2127; Durham, NC 27702 or online at www.chordomafoundation.org

Maj (Ret) Garold Butdorf - Class of 1976 , CS-08

Deceased on May 14, 2024 - Informed on June 6, 2024

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Service information: Graveside service, 1300 hours on 20 June 2024 at Oakwood Cemetery, 1225 Oakwood St., Fremont, OH 43420. Memorial donations: in lieu of flowers donations can be made to any veteran organization, athletic department or church of your choice in Gary's name. Obituary: https://www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Garold-Butdorf

Col (Ret) Michael Butler - Class of 1976 , CS-40

Deceased on June 12, 2007 - Informed on June 13, 2007

Place: Tikrit Iraq. He was working as a civilian contractor with the Civilian Police Advisory Training Team.

Mr. Lewis Chase IV - Class of 1976 , CS-37

Deceased on September 15, 2012 - Informed on August 16, 2013

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services were held on 27 Sep 2012 in Washington. Burial was in Tahoma National Cemetery.

Lt Col (Ret) David Cloud - Class of 1976 , CS-27

Deceased on January 23, 2024 - Informed on January 29, 2024

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Memorial service: 1000 hours 05 Feb 2024 at the USAFA Community Chapel, 5134 Cathedral Dr, Air Force Academy, CO 80840. Interment: 1100 hours 05 Feb 2024 at the USAFA Cemetery, 3024 Parade Loop, Air Force Academy, CO 80840. Memorial contributions can be made to Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care or The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration AFTD, in Dave's memory. Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/david-cloud-obituary?id=54269415

Mr. Charles Cochran - Class of 1976 , CS-33

Deceased on June 17, 1975 - Informed on June 17, 1975

Mr. Charles Combs , Jr. - Class of 1976 , CS-22

Deceased on December 11, 2022 - Informed on December 20, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. No obituary is available. Funeral Service: 29 Dec 2022 at 1000 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. In the event of inclement weather the graveside service will be moved to the Memorial Pavilion.

Mr. Hilton Crosley - Class of 1976 , CS-40

Deceased on March 15, 1986

Mr. Michael Cummins - Class of 1976 , CS-10

Deceased on June 8, 1995

Maj (Ret) Lothar Deil - Class of 1976 , CS-13

Deceased on August 1, 2012 - Informed on August 3, 2012

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Memorial service will be held on 7 Aug 2012 at 1900 hrs at St Andrew Lutheran Church; 16320 Huebner Rd; San Antonio TX 78248. A graveside service will be held on 17 Aug 2012 at 1000 hrs at the USAFA Cemetery. Memorial Donations may be made to the charity of your choice or either of the following charities: St Andrew Lutheran Church; 16320 Huebner Rd; San Antonio TX 78248 Fisher House Foundation Hero Miles Program; 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420; Rockville, MD 20850 www.fisherhouse.org

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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