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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Col (Ret) Richard Sula - Class of 1963 , CS-15

Deceased on April 18, 2022 - Informed on April 22, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Service information is not currently available.

Col (Ret) Daniel Taylor - Class of 1963 , CS-17

Deceased on June 7, 2007 - Informed on July 19, 2007

Condolences: May be expressed through the Walker Family Mortuary website at www.walkerfamilymortuary.com Memorial Services: Were held in Provo UT

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.

Capt Leo Thomas , Jr. - Class of 1963 , CS-09

Deceased on December 19, 1971

Lt Col (Ret) James Thyng - Class of 1963 , CS-12

Deceased on January 16, 2025 - Informed on February 4, 2025

Memorial service: 1100 hours on 1 February 2025 at the First Congregational Church, 24 Main Street, Pittsfield, NH. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Harrison Thyng Memorial Maintenance Fund of the Pittsfield Historical Society, P.O. Box 173, Pittsfield, NH, 03263 or the First Congregational Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 188, Pittsfield, NH, 03263. Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/unionleader/name/james-thyng-obituary?id=57389789

Lt Col (Ret) Howard Tomme , Sr. - Class of 1963 , CS-01

Deceased on October 2, 2013 - Informed on October 7, 2013

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral services at USAFA are pending in the springtime.

Col (Ret) Richard Troy - Class of 1963 , CS-04

Deceased on March 15, 2025 - Informed on April 1, 2025

Memorial Service: 1100 hours 4 April 2025 at the Sullivan Funeral Home, 51 N. Enola Dr., Enola, PA 17025. Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/richard-troy-obituary?id=58008434

Mr. Russell Turner - Class of 1963 , CS-07

Deceased on July 24, 1999

Col (Ret) Robert Venkus - Class of 1963 , CS-03

Deceased on December 8, 2021 - Informed on January 20, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 13 Jun 2022 at 1000 hours at the USAFA Community Center Chapel. Burial will immediately follow in the USAFA Cemetery.

Maj (Ret) William Vincent , Jr. - Class of 1963 , CS-21

Deceased on September 18, 1985

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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