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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Maj (Ret) Charlie Smisson , Jr. - Class of 1970 , CS-02

Deceased on March 25, 2022 - Informed on March 30, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. His viewing will be held 31 March 2022 at 1800 hrs. at Torbert Funeral Chapels South, 1145 E. Lebanon Rd., Dover, DE 19901. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1 April 2022 at 1150 hrs. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 641 S. State St., Dover DE 19901. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. For those unable to attend the funeral service, there will be a livestream on www.torbertfuneral.com that can be found under the Upcoming Livestreams tab and viewed by clicking on his name. The family has suggested in lieu of flowers contributions be made to American Legion Charities. https://mylegion.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Give/Donate-Online/Donate-Now?CashProductId=13441

Lt Col (Ret) William Smith - Class of 1970 , CS-08

Deceased on October 20, 2013 - Informed on October 22, 2013

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A graveside service will be held on 23 Oct 2013 at 1200 hrs at the USAFA Cemetery.

Capt Richard Smithwick - Class of 1970 , CS-20

Deceased on September 26, 1976

Maj Cecil Snyder III - Class of 1970 , CS-13

Deceased on August 31, 1982

Lt Col (Ret) Marius Sorenson - Class of 1970 , CS-02

Deceased on February 16, 2014 - Informed on February 20, 2014

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services will be held on 3 Mar 2014 at 1000 at the USAFA Protestant Chapel immediatel y followed by a graveside service at the USAFA Cemetery. The family has suggested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Class of 70 Fund-SEA; USAFA Endowment; 3116 Academy Dr; USAFA CO 80840-4475

Mr. Thomas Spear - Class of 1970 , CS-23

Deceased on December 19, 2017 - Informed on January 8, 2018

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A graveside service will be held on 29 June 2018 at the USAFA Cemetery.

1st Lt Bari Stone - Class of 1970 , CS-37

Deceased on March 8, 1973

Mr. Patrick Sullivan - Class of 1970 , CS-29

Deceased on December 2, 2023 - Informed on December 11, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condonlence information. Funeral service: 1100 hours on 8 Dec 2023 at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, 7070 Houston Rd., Macon, GA 31216. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Patrick's honor to Middle Georgia Honor Flight, 1114 GA Hwy 96, Suite C-1 #344, Kathleen, GA 31047, or visit https://www.middlegahonorflight.org/ or to FOPAS (Friends of Perry Animal Shelter) 204 Kellwood Dr, Perry, GA 31069. Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/patrick-sullivan-obituary?id=53749689

Lt Col (Ret) Dustin Swanson , Jr. - Class of 1970 , CS-25

Deceased on November 16, 2019 - Informed on November 27, 2019

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held at USAFA on a later date still to be determined. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; PO Box 4072; Pittsfield, MA 01202-4072; (888) 557-7177; www.leukemia.org

Lt Col (Ret) Richard Swanson - Class of 1970 , CS-34

Deceased on February 2, 2022 - Informed on March 29, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Celebration of Life will be held 09 Apr 2022 at 1030 hours at Sandhills Community College, 3395 Airport Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374. Burial will be 2 May 2022 at 1030 hours on the Air Force Academy Cemetery.

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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