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. Norman Schulze , Jr. - Class of 1963 , CS-20

Deceased on July 19, 2024 - Informed on August 6, 2024

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Celebration of Life: 1800 hours on 18 Aug 2024 at Elevation Chophouse & Skybar, 1723 McCollum Pkwy NW, Kennesaw, GA. A funeral will be held at 1230 hours on 19 Aug 2024 at the Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Dr., Canton, GA. Memorial donation: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Foundation for Fighting Blindness in memory of Barbara Long Schulze. http://donate.fightingblindness.org. Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/roswell-ga/norman-schulze-11903354

Col (Ret) Jerome Thies - Class of 1963 , CS-10

Deceased on March 11, 2019 - Informed on March 18, 2019

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Colonel Thies will be laid to rest along with his wife, Yvonne, who passed away on 15 Dec 2015, at the USAF Academy Cemetery on 12 Jul 2019 at 1430 hours.

1st Lt Justin Wilkens - Class of 2009 , CS-14

Deceased on February 18, 2012 - Informed on February 21, 2012

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. 1Lt Wilkens passed away along with 3 other crew members as the result of a U-28A aircraft accident during a routine mission near Djbouti, Africa. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.

Dr. Richard Wolniewicz - Class of 1964 , CS-08

Deceased on December 21, 2020 - Informed on December 29, 2020

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service will be held on 11 Jan 2021 at 1000 hours at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church; 3791 Pike Rd; Longmont, CO 80503. Due to limited attendance please rsvp to his daughter, Susie Nothnagel at brecksusie@yahoo.com. His obituary can be found at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/longmont-co/richard-wolniewicz-9962870

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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