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.

Reset
Col (Ret) Karol Bobko - Class of 1959 , CS-08

Deceased on August 17, 2023 - Informed on August 25, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral services: 8 Sep 2023 at 1030 hours at the USAFA Cemetery Please RSVP for the reception to immediately follow the service. drcolmaxm59@gmail.com Memorial Donations: Association of Space Explorers - USA, 141 Bay Area Blvd. Webster, TX 77598; www.space-explorers.org/donate

Capt Blake Branton - Class of 2014

Deceased on May 11, 2023 - Informed on October 17, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Memorial Service: 1200 hours, 20 June 2023 at Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Sachse, TX. No futher information is available.

Mr. Terrance Broadway - Class of 1967 , CS-16

Deceased on November 24, 2023 - Informed on December 11, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 27 Jan 2023 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1700 N. Meridian Rd., Tallahasse, FL 32303. A burial service will be held at the USAFA Cemetery at a later date. Obituary: https://obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/tallahassee-fl/terrance-broadway-11562634

Cadet Hunter Brown - Class of 2025

Deceased on January 9, 2023 - Informed on January 26, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Obituary: https://www.johnsonfuneralhome.net/obituary/hunter-brown Funeral Service: 20 Jan 2023 at 1400 hours Trinity Baptist Church-Central Venue, 1800 Country Club Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70605 Burial: 20 Jan 2023 Consolata Cemetery, 2300 Country Club Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70605 Memorial Donations: Air Force Academy Foundation, 3116 Academy Dr, USAF Academy, CO 80840 https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1885/21/interior-2col.aspx?sid=1885&gid=2&pgid=418&cid=1063

Maj (Ret) Stephen Burke - Class of 1973 , CS-25

Deceased on February 19, 2023 - Informed on February 27, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Memorial service: 4 Mar 2023 at 1400 hours Cash's 98 West, 2712 US- 98, Mary Esther, FL 32569 Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/tallahassee-fl/stephen-burke-11165578 Memorial Donations: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38501; (800) 805-5856; https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now OR Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675; (855) 448-3997; https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=10043

Maj (Ret) Ernest Butler , Jr. - Class of 1973 , CS-01

Deceased on February 4, 2023 - Informed on February 15, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Memorial Service: 26 Feb 2023 at 1300 hours Fort Lincoln Funeral Home, 3401 Bladensburg Rd, Brentwood, MD 20722 Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/brentwood-md/ernest-butler-11143324

Lt Col (Ret) Michael Carney - Class of 1994 , CS-39

Deceased on September 21, 2023 - Informed on September 25, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation will be held 25 Sep 2023 from 1600 to 1930 hours at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr, O'Fallon, IL 62269. A visitation will be held 26 Sep 2023 at 1000 hours at Holy Infant Catholic Church, 627 Dennison Dr. Ballwin, MO 63021 A Mass of Christian Burial will follow visitation on 26 Sep 2023 at 1100 hours at Holy Infant Catholic Church.. Stories and remembrances may be shared with Mike's children at mikeslegacy45@gmail.com. Memorial donations may be made to https://secure.foldsofhonor.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3267&mfc_pref=T&3267.donation=form1&_ga=2.66651750.938003160.1695677380-366594392.1695677380&_gl=1*1609bmg*_ga*MzY2NTk0MzkyLjE2OTU2NzczODA.*_ga_N9059M89W0*MTY5NTY3NzM3OS4xLjEuMTY5NTY3ODI5Ni42MC4wLjA. Obituary: https://www.wfh-ofallon.com/obituary/michael-carney

Lt Col (Ret) William Chamblee - Class of 1978 , CS-08

Deceased on May 21, 2023 - Informed on September 21, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral Service: 26 May 2023 in the village of Rigny-Ussé, France. The burial followed in the village cemetery. Memorial Donations: The American Cancer society online at <https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=search&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%5BB%5D+-+American+Cancer+Society&utm_term=american%20cancer%20society&gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8r6-utS8gQMVAwOtBh2CmA2tEAAYASAAEgIN7_D_BwE> or a personal favorite charity.

Lt Col (Ret) Daniel Cheeseman - Class of 1972 , CS-35

Deceased on July 24, 2023 - Informed on September 21, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral Service: 18 Aug 2023 at 1400 hours at the Air Force Academy Community Chapel followed by an interment at the Air Force Academy Cemetery. Memorial Donations: Travis Mills Foundation, 647 Castle Island Rd, Mt Vernon, ME 04352 memo line - In memory of Dan Cheeseman or online at https://www.classy.org/campaign/in-honor-of-lt-col-daniel-francis-cheeseman/c506163

Lt Col (Ret) Frederick Cianciolo - Class of 1982 , CS-27

Deceased on September 27, 2022 - Informed on October 6, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Memorial service: 10 Oct 2022 at 1000 hours at St. Bernadette's Catholic Church, 350 NW California Blvd, Pot St. Lucie, FL 34986 Burial: intended for Apr 2023 at USAFA date TBD In Lieu of Flowers: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, (877) 272-6226, Pancan.org Obituary: https://www.haisleyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Lieutenant-Colonel-Frederick-Cianciolo/#!/Obituary

Page 2 of 14 total

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