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
Maj (Ret) Joe Peters , Sr. - Class of 1963 , CS-12

Deceased on May 17, 2023 - Informed on May 19, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Obituary: https://agentfuneralhome.com/obituaries/joe-franklin-peters-sr/2280/ Visitation: 22 May 2023 from 1000-2000 hours Agent & Mallory-Martin Funaeral Home and Crematory; 123 Wheeler St, Sallisaw, OK 74955. Funeral Service: 23 May 2023 at 1000 hours First Baptist Church, 122 W Chickasaw Ave, Sallisaw, OK 74955 Burial will be in Peters Cemetery, Sequoyah County, OK. Memorial Donations: Sallisaw Youth League,PO Box 1785, Sallisaw, OK 74955

Lt Col (Ret) Gary Pfeifer - Class of 1963 , CS-03

Deceased on October 27, 2024 - Informed on November 7, 2024

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral Mass: 1100 hours on 7 November 2024, at the St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church, 1544 S Battlefield Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23322. Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/gary-pfeifer-obituary?id=56653012

Col (Ret) Norman Pfeifer - Class of 1963 , CS-06

Deceased on April 11, 2022 - Informed on June 2, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services were held in May in San Antonio, TX. He was laid to rest in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the following charities: Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, (*55) 448-3997, www.woundedwarriorproject.org Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306, (718) 987-1931 United Services Organization (USO), PO Box 96860, Washington, DC 20077-7677, (888) 484-3876, www.uso.org

Lt Col (Ret) Jack Pierson - Class of 1963 , CS-01

Deceased on October 29, 2008 - Informed on November 5, 2008

Condolences: Ms Karen Rosenberger C/O Association of Graduates

2d Lt Thomas Pierson - Class of 1963 , CS-23

Deceased on March 13, 1964

Capt Joseph Pirruccello , Jr. - Class of 1963 , CS-06

Deceased on December 8, 1968

Lt Col (Ret) Francis Porch - Class of 1963 , CS-02

Deceased on February 18, 2018 - Informed on February 26, 2018

Condolences may be left online at www.porterfuneralhomes.com or contact the Association of Graduates for other condolence information. Services were held on 22 Feb at the Church of Ascension in Overland Park, KS. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Class of 1963 Memorial Fund; Attn: Les Denend; 1300 Hobart St; Menlo Park, CA 94025. Updated 6/22/2018: A funeral service will be held on 28 June 2018 at 1100 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. In the event of inclement weather the service will be moved to the Memorial Pavilion.

Lt Col (Ret) Francis Porter - Class of 1963 , CS-16

Deceased on November 28, 2024 - Informed on December 4, 2024

Funeral service: 1300 hours 18 December 2024, at the USAFA Cementery, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Mr. William Porter - Class of 1963 , CS-11

Deceased on February 3, 2025 - Informed on February 26, 2025

Services: A private service will be held. Obituary: https://www.gettysburgfunerals.com/obituaries/william-bill-porter

Lt Col (Ret) Curtis Preston - Class of 1963 , CS-24

Deceased on November 21, 2023

Page 17 of 22 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