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. Kreg Palko - Class of 1988, CS-12

Deceased on October 6, 2017 - Informed on October 12, 2017

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Celebration of Life service will be held on 21 Oct 2017 from 1400-1700 hours at the Biltmore Hotel Ballroom; 11 Dorrance St; Providence, RI 02903. The family has suggested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association Rhode Island Chapter; 2374 Post Rd, suite 103; Warwick, RI 02886-2270; (401) 732-1609; www.alsari.org or the ALS Therapy Development Institute; 300 Technology Sq, suite 400; Cambridge, MA 02139; (617) 441-7204; www.als.net/donate. His obituary may be viewed online at www.nardolillofh.com.

Mr. Paul Pokorny III - Class of 1988, CS-25

Deceased on December 29, 2020 - Informed on January 5, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. No services are scheduled. His obituary can be found at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/collierville-tn/paul-pokorny-9973418.

Ms. Sandra Rhodes - Class of 1988, CS-33

Deceased on March 27, 1988 - Informed on March 27, 1988

Mr. Jeffery Riddlebarger - Class of 1988, CS-18

Deceased on August 14, 2013 - Informed on August 16, 2013

please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence informaiton. A funeral service will be held on 21 Aug 2013 at 1000 hrs at the USAFA Cadet Protestant Chapel. Interment will follow at the USAFA Cemetery.

Capt Jon Rupp - Class of 1988, CS-12

Deceased on September 2, 1994

Col (Ret) Christopher Scharenbrock - Class of 1988, CS-26

Deceased on November 4, 2019 - Informed on November 10, 2019

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 19 Nov 2019 at 1530 hours at the Father's House Church; 4800 Horse Creek Dr; Vacaville, CA 95688; (707) 455-7790. Visitation will begin at 1430 hours at the church. He will be laid to rest in Sacramento Valley National Cemetery; 5180 Midway Rd; Dixon, CA 95620 on 20 Nov 2019 at 0930 hours. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made to the Boy Scouts of America; www.scouting.org or to the Fisher House Foundation, Inc; 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy, Suite 410; Rockville, MD 20852; (888) 294-8560; www.fisherhouse.org.

Mr. Michael Sewell - Class of 1988, CS-11

Deceased on July 3, 2012 - Informed on November 8, 2012

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services were held on 9 July 2012 in Grand Junction, CO. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the following charities: Tim Sewell Memorial Trail Fund; Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association; PO Box 4602; Grand Junction CO 81052-4602. Please make checks payable to COPMOBA University of Pittsburgh Brain Trauma Research in memory of Tim Sewell; Medical & Health Sciences Foundation; ATTN: Amy Lombard; 3600 Forbes Ave, ste 8084; Pittsburgh, PA 15313

Mr. Michael Shipley - Class of 1988, CS-27

Deceased on November 10, 2002

Lt Col (Ret) James Sisler - Class of 1988, CS-20

Deceased on December 2, 2015 - Informed on December 30, 2015

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services were held on 10 Dec 2015 at 1400 hrs. at Immanuel Lutheran Church; 3801 Cunningham Rd; Killeen, TX 76542 The family has suggested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to ColorCancer, a non-profit that he and his daughter worked closely with. In honor of Jim's life, a fundraising webpage has been created. https://www.crowdrise.com/inhonorofyouwestern All donations will be given to ColorCancer

Lt Col Dorriss Smith - Class of 1988, CS-30

Deceased on April 20, 2017

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Next of Kin

For Next of Kin support resources please visit: https://www.usafanextofkin.org/

Frequently Asked Questions

Gone But Not Forgotten Annual Publication

The Air Force Academy Association and Foundation are introducing a new benefit to better memorialize USAFA graduates and support their families. We are launching a new annual memorial publication in 2025.

A: As the Academy graduate population ages, Checkpoints is increasingly insufficient in accommodating the increasing number of obituaries. This has necessitated the creation of a new publication as part of our commitment to remembering all fallen graduates, Air Training Officers and cadets.
A: The purpose of the publication is to honor and perpetuate the legacy of the Long Blue Line through the personal stories of our graduates. The publication is in the spirit of our mission to support the Academy, serve graduates and preserve the heritage of the institution.
A: Gone But Not Forgotten will be part of the final name, which is not yet finalized.
A: No, but the Association will list basic information on deaths in each issue of Checkpoints.
A: No. If/when memorial articles are sent to the AOG, the tribute is posted to this webpage.
A: A complimentary copy will be mailed to a loved one of the deceased. It is not yet determined if the printed publication will be available at a nominal cost or at no cost to AOG members.
A: There will be a one-year transition period. Memorial articles sent in to run in Checkpoints in 2024 will also appear in the inaugural memorial publication. The deadline for Gone But Not Forgotten submissions in the December 2024 issue of Checkpoints is mid-October, but any memorial articles about deaths for the remainder of 2024 received by mid-January 2025 will appear in the inaugural 2025 stand-alone publication. Then going forward, the full years’ worth of tributes would be published in the next year’s volume.
A: The first memorial publication will likely be printed in February or March of 2025.
A: We currently have a 400-word maximum for each memorial tribute and will continue with that limit for the first stand-alone publication. We’re doing this because we have already received submissions at that length and don’t plan to ask for longer versions for the 2025 edition.
A: We will transition to roughly 450- or 900-word options for memorial tributes. Whoever writes and submits the memorial article with have the option to write to either word limit.
A: A recent favorite photo of the deceased, when possible. The photo (head and shoulders, color preferred) should be emailed as a .jpg and sent as a high-resolution image.
A: Please email Next-of-Kin Support Specialist Terri Davis at deceasednotifications@usafa.org.
A: Please reach out to David Bitton, assistant director of strategic communications and publications, at 719-247-8745 or use our Contact Form.

Gone But Not Forgotten