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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Lt Col (Ret) Richard Shutack - Class of 1963 , CS-02

Deceased on August 15, 2023 - Informed on September 6, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral Service: 15 Sep 2023 at 1000 hours USAFA Community Center Chapel, 5134 Cathedral Dr, USAFA, CO 80840 Burial: Immediately following service, USAFA Cemetery Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/colorado-springs-co/richard-shutack-11411622 Memorial Donations: Tunnels to Towers (T2T), 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306; https://t2t.org/donate

Lt Col (Ret) Donald Simmons - Class of 1963 , CS-15

Deceased on April 9, 1998

Col (Ret) Robert Simpson - Class of 1963 , CS-02

Deceased on April 10, 2025 - Informed on April 22, 2025

Celebration of Life: 1200 hours on 25 May 2025 at 120 W Lynwood Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212. Obituary: https://www.olingermortuaryservice.com/obituary/robert-simpson

Mr. William Simpson - Class of 1963 , CS-21

Deceased on May 10, 2012 - Informed on May 22, 2012

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Memorial Mass was held on 14 May 2012 at St Patrick's Church in York, PA. The family suggested that donations be made to either Steam Into History, Inc; 221 W Philadelphia St STE E600; York, PA 17401 or the William Simpson Fund For Community Advancement; York County Community Foundation; 14 W Market St; York, PA 17401.

Mr. Roger Sims - Class of 1963 , CS-13

Deceased on February 2, 2004

1st Lt John Skoro , Jr. - Class of 1963 , CS-12

Deceased on September 13, 1966

1st Lt David Small - Class of 1963 , CS-07

Deceased on April 7, 1965

Mr. Harry Snow , Jr. - Class of 1963 , CS-11

Deceased on June 19, 2021 - Informed on June 22, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A gathering will be held on 27 Jun 2021 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Schoedinger Funeral Home; 1051 East Johnstown Road; Gahanna, OH 43230. Services will be held on 28 Jun 2021 at 11:00 am at the Peace Lutheran Church; 455 Clark State Road; Gahanna, OH 43230. Directly following the service will be burial at the Kingwood Memorial Park; 8230 Columbus Pike; Lewis Center, OH 43035. After burial there will be a reception back at the Peace Lutheran Church.

Col (Ret) Roger Sorensen - Class of 1963 , CS-12

Deceased on December 6, 2009

Lt Col (Ret) Larry Springs - Class of 1963 , CS-08

Deceased on June 12, 2021 - Informed on June 16, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral services are currently pending.

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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