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. Keith Steinbaugh - Class of 1976 , CS-39

Deceased on February 22, 2012 - Informed on February 23, 2012

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Memorial Service will be held on 25 Feb 2012 at 1400 hrs at the Christ United Methodist Church; 3101 Coit Road; Plano, TX 75075.

Lt Col (Ret) Paul Sutliff - Class of 1976 , CS-15

Deceased on December 12, 2020 - Informed on December 29, 2020

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral services are currently pending. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Alzheimer's Association; PO Box 96011; Washington, DC 20090-6011; (800) 272-3900; www.alz.org.

Mr. Stanley Szkarlat , Jr. - Class of 1976 , CS-06

Deceased on August 5, 2005

Mr. Carl Talafous - Class of 1976 , CS-03

Deceased on July 14, 1993

Dr. John Trettin - Class of 1976 , CS-04

Deceased on June 13, 2000

Lt Col (Ret) Gary Turnipseed - Class of 1976 , CS-29

Deceased on September 16, 2024 - Informed on September 27, 2024

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence informaiton. Visitation: 1500 hours until 1700 hours 5 October 2024 at Kiser-Rose Funeral Home, 125 Idletime Dr., Greenville, TN 37743. Celebration of Life: 1700 hours on 5 October 2024, at Kiser-Rose Funeral Home 125 Idletime Dr., Greenville, TN 37743. Interment: at the USAFA Cemetery on a later date. Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/greeneville-tn/gary-turnipseed-11995878

1st Lt John Vosburg - Class of 1976 , CS-24

Deceased on November 28, 1979

Lt Col (Ret) Mark Whalen - Class of 1976 , CS-22

Deceased on May 7, 1999

Lt Col Ida Widmann - Class of 1991 , CS-22

Deceased on August 20, 2017 - Informed on August 30, 2017

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Polaris Hall Forum at the US Air Force Academy, CO on 9 Sep 2017 at 1500 hours. A social will begin prior to the ceremony at 1400 hours. An RSVP is required. For more information you may view the e-invitation at https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/index.cfm?i=361976&k=016743007C51. Her family has suggested that emorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Ida's name to the USAFA Endowment; 3116 Academy Dr; USAF Academy. CO 80840; (719) 472-0300 ext. 200; www.usafa.org/give.

Maj (Ret) Roderick Williams - Class of 1976 , CS-31

Deceased on August 1, 2019 - Informed on October 22, 2019

Services were held in Wichita, KS at the time of his passing. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made to an Education Expense fund for his grandchildren in care of his daughter Derise: Derise Washington; PO Box 101; Kokomo, IN 46903. Condolences may be left online at www.dignitymemorial.com where his obituary may be found.

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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