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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1st Lt David Unger - Class of 1978 , CS-38

Deceased on October 22, 1980

2d Lt Gary Vanderpool , Jr. - Class of 1978 , CS-18

Deceased on April 20, 1980

Mr. Robert Watts - Class of 1978 , CS-20

Deceased on June 9, 2018 - Informed on June 15, 2018

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Mr. Watts graduated from CS-20. A funeral service will be held on 15 June 2018 at 0900 hours at the Bueler Chandler Mortuary; 14 W Hulet Dr; Chandler, AZ 85225; (480) 963-6351; www.buelermortuary.com. Burial will immediately follow in the Valley of the Sun Cemetery; 10940 E Chandler Heights Rd;; Chandler, AZ 85248.

Capt Dyke Whitbeck - Class of 1978 , CS-36

Deceased on January 9, 1984

Mr. John Whitt - Class of 1978 , CS-28

Deceased on September 16, 2021 - Informed on September 27, 2021

A funeral service will be held on 30 Sep 2021 at 1400 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. No further information is available.

Col (Ret) Vincent Wilcox - Class of 1978 , CS-40

Deceased on December 20, 2015 - Informed on December 23, 2015

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service for his family was held in Forth Worth, TX. The Wilcox family has suggested that donations be made in lieu of flowers to Donate Life Texas; Attn: Finance Dept; 2510 Westridge St; Houston, TX 77054 www.donatelifetexas.org

Mr. Paul Williams - Class of 1978 , CS-02

Deceased on January 30, 2022 - Informed on February 22, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service will be held on 16 April 2022, at 1000 hours at Flower Mound Family Funeral Home, 3550 Firewheel Drive, Flower Mound, TX 75028. Burial will be held in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery 18 April 2022 at 1100 hours, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donating to The American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, www.cancer.org His obituary can be found at https://www.daltonandson.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=23976178&source=SmsSh

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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