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
Mr. Thomas Gibbs , Jr. - Class of 1965 , CS-16

Deceased on December 12, 2023 - Informed on December 28, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A celebration of life with be held at his long-time home that he cherished. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a charity of your choice in honor of Ted. Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/thomas-ted-gibbs-jr-obituary?id=53865633

Mr. Klem Kalberer , Jr. - Class of 1963 , CS-14

Deceased on January 20, 2016 - Informed on March 20, 2017

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A graveside service will be held on 14 April 2017 at 1200 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. He will be inurned along with his daughter Kim who passed away on 17 Mar 1972.

Lt Col (Ret) Anthony Long - Class of 1960 , CS-05

Deceased on February 13, 2023 - Informed on February 24, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence iformation. Funeral Service: 3 Mar 2023 at 1330 hours USAFA Cemetery; in the event of inclement weather the service will be moved into the Memorial Pavilion

Mr. Jack Long - Class of 1974 , CS-07

Deceased on January 24, 2003

Lt Col (Ret) Lorin Long - Class of 1977 , CS-16

Deceased on May 6, 2021 - Informed on June 2, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. No service information is available at this time.

Mr. Richard Long - Class of 1976 , CS-27

Deceased on May 30, 2024 - Informed on June 18, 2024

Celebration of Life: 1030 hours on 29 June 2024 at the Monument Hill Church, 18725 Monument Hill Dr., Monument, CO 80132. A reception will follow at The Flying Horse Resort and Club - Barolo Ballroom, 1880 Weiskopf Pt., Colorado Springs, CO 80921

Mr. Ronald Long - Class of 1979 , CS-23

Deceased on June 2, 2004

Mr. James Longacre III - Class of 1972

Deceased on August 28, 1971 - Informed on August 28, 1971

Mr. James Rogers - Class of 1961 , CS-03

Deceased on May 22, 2019 - Informed on May 24, 2019

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation was held on 25 May 2019 along with a remeberance service at the Fuller Funeral Home in Jacksonville, FL. Funeral services are pending at USAFA at this time.

Dr. Steven Savonen - Class of 1963 , CS-11

Deceased on May 1, 2020 - Informed on May 6, 2020

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Burial is pending at USAFA along with his wife, Sheri, who passed away on 14 Jan 2020. The date is still to be determined. Condolences may be left on line and his obituary seen at www.affordablecremationabq.com

Page 2 of 3 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