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. Ronald Rosepink - Class of 1978 , CS-34

Deceased on March 15, 2005

Mr. Daniel Schick - Class of 1978 , CS-08

Deceased on February 4, 1998

Lt Col (Ret) Kenneth Schow , Jr. - Class of 1978 , CS-24

Deceased on July 28, 2002

Col (Ret) Richard Searfoss - Class of 1978 , CS-09

Deceased on October 1, 2018 - Informed on October 9, 2018

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Viewing begining at 1230 hours will precede the memorial service on 12 Oct 2018. The memorial service will begin at 1400 hours at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; 600 Anita Dr; Tehachapi, CA 93561; (661) 822-6490. His obituary may be viewed at www.woodmortuary.net.

Maj Gen (Ret) Kip Self - Class of 1978 , CS-11

Deceased on January 6, 2018 - Informed on January 30, 2018

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. MGen Self graduated from CS-11. Services were held at the time of his passing. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery on a date still to be determined. His family has suggested that memorial dantions may be made in lieu of flowers to the ALS Association; Gift Processing Center; PO Box 37022; Boone, IA 50037-0022; (888) 949-2577; www.alsa.org or to the Paralyzed Veterans of America; 801 18th St NW; Washington, DC 20006; (800) 555-9140; www.pva.org.

Lt Col (Ret) William Shaw - Class of 1978 , CS-39

Deceased on May 24, 2017 - Informed on June 27, 2017

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Celebration of Life will be held on 8 Jul 2017 from 1400-1700 hours at Club Mead; 6600 Mapes Rd; Ft. George G. Meade, MD 20755. In lieu of flowers his family has suggested that donations be made to Team Trek to End Alzheimers; Walk to End Alzheimers. http://act.alz.org/site/TR/walk2017/MD-GreaterMaryland?fr_id=10483&pg=entry If you wish to participate in the Walk, it will be on 22 Oct 2017 in Annapolis, MD and more information can be found on the link above.

Mr. Stephen Smith - Class of 1978 , CS-27

Deceased on July 19, 2015 - Informed on July 22, 2015

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation will be held from 1800-2000 hours on 24 July 2015 at the Heritage Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery; 2201 N Partin Dr; Niceville, FL 32578. www.heritagegardensfuneralhome.com

Capt John Snyder - Class of 1978 , CS-29

Deceased on December 26, 1981

Col (Ret) Moses Stewart , Jr. - Class of 1978 , CS-28

Deceased on September 20, 2021 - Informed on September 21, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 1 Oct 2021 at 0900 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. Burial will immediately follow. No obituary is available.

Mr. John Sviba - Class of 1978 , CS-30

Deceased on January 23, 1999

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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