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. David Naber - Class of 1976 , CS-24

Deceased on July 24, 2002

Mr. Donovan Nylund - Class of 1976 , CS-39

Deceased on September 20, 2024 - Informed on September 30, 2024

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation: 1100 hours on 1 October 2024 at The Peterson Chapel, 300 Main St., St. Michael, MN, 55376 Celebration of Life: 1200 hours on 1 October 2024 at The Peterson Chapel, 300 Main St., St. Michael, MN 55376. A luncheon will immediately follow. Interment: 1100 hours on 2 October 2024 at the Pinewood Cemetery, 13852 Co Rd 36, Crosslake, MN 56442. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hopsital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?frequency_selected=0&dedication=1&sc_dcm=58700008005633531&sc_cid=kwp&sl=memorial-gift&ds_rl=1285465&ds_rl=1291300&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsZuzuNDriAMVsTUIBR2IrzEGEAAYASABEgKOWvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds. Obituary: https://www.sctimes.com/obituaries/pmns0954734

Mr. Kevin Pedersen - Class of 1976 , CS-40

Deceased on January 19, 2005

Mr. Hugh Pendergrass - Class of 1976 , CS-01

Deceased on December 18, 2021 - Informed on January 20, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Obituary information is not available. Funeral services took place a the time of his passing in Peachtree City, Georgia. Burial is scheduled for 22 Feb 2023 at 1000 hours at the USAFA Cemetery Memorial Pavilion with placement in the Columbarium.

Mr. Robert Peterson - Class of 1976 , CS-16

Deceased on December 20, 1985

Maj (Ret) Donald Pickett , Jr. - Class of 1976 , CS-04

Deceased on September 7, 2009 - Informed on September 9, 2009

Please contact the AOG for condolence information Memorial Service: 1000 hrs 14 Sept 2009 at the Austin Bluffs Evangelical Free Church; 3445 Maizeland Rd; Colorado Springs CO 80909 Burial: 1400 hrs 14 Sept 2009 at the USAFA Cemetery.

Lt Col (Ret) Craig Puz - Class of 1976 , CS-20

Deceased on December 21, 2008 - Informed on December 23, 2008

Condolences: Mrs Jill Z Puz C/O Association of Graduates. Memorial Services: January 12, 2009, 10:00 a.m., Cadet Catholic Chapel, USAFA. A graveside service will immediately follow at the USAFA Cemetery.

1st Lt Raymond Reed , Jr. - Class of 1976 , CS-13

Deceased on March 2, 1979

1st Lt Richard Riche - Class of 1976 , CS-14

Deceased on August 15, 1978

Lt Col (Ret) Randal Richey - Class of 1976 , CS-39

Deceased on July 2, 2016 - Informed on July 13, 2016

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service will be held on 16 Jul 2016 at 1100 hours at the Trinity United Methodist Church; 1200 W Green Oaks Blvd; Arlington, TX 76013. Burial will be in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on 15 July 2016 at 1500 hours. The family has suggested that memorial donations in lieu of flowers be sent to the Trinity United Methodist Church iPad Ministry at the above address. You can find his obituary online at www.brownowensbrumley.com.

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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