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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1st Lt Richard Christy II - Class of 1970 , CS-37

Deceased on February 17, 1972

Mr. Lance Clark - Class of 1970 , CS-39

Deceased on September 14, 1996

Col (Ret) Thomas Distelhorst - Class of 1970 , CS-11

Deceased on June 17, 2005

Col (Ret) Daniel Falvey - Class of 1975 , CS-25

Deceased on March 13, 2023 - Informed on March 15, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for conolence information. Funeral service information: Visitation: 17 Mar 2023 from 1600-1900 hours at Palmer Funeral Home-Welsheimer North Chapel, 17033 Cleveland Rd, South Bend, IN 46635 Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 18 Mar 2023 at 1030 hours at St Jude's Catholic Church, 19704 Johnson Rd, South Bend, IN 46614. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Burial is intended in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date still to be determined. Obituary: https://www.palmerfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Daniel-Falvey

Mr. Stephen Feaster - Class of 1970 , CS-33

Deceased on August 22, 2007 - Informed on August 27, 2007

Condolences: Mrs Jan Feaster C/O Association of Graduates Memorial Services: Was held at the French Mortuary in Albuquerque NM on 25 August 2007. Mr Feaster will be interred at a later date at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe NM. Memorial Donations: Hospice Care Facility in your community.

Mr. Walter Fey - Class of 1970 , CS-30

Deceased on November 2, 2022 - Informed on December 29, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. No further information is available.

Lt Col (Ret) Jeffrey Field - Class of 1970 , CS-07

Deceased on May 23, 2015 - Informed on May 26, 2015

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation will be held on 26 May 2015 from 1700-2000 hours at Hixon Brothers Funeral Home; 701 Jackson St; Alexandria, LA 71301. A funeral service will be held on 27 May 2015 at 1030 hours at the Chapel of Hixon Brothers Funeral Home. Burial will be in Alexandria Memorial Gardens; 8855 US-165; Woodworth, LA 71485. The family has suggested that donation in lieu of flowers be made to the Calvary Baptist Church Missions Fund or Building Fund; 5011 Jackson St Ext; Alexandria, LA 71303.

Mr. Thomas Fishburn - Class of 1970 , CS-35

Deceased on September 13, 1983

Mr. David Galich - Class of 1970 , CS-40

Deceased on November 10, 2002

Mr. Bruce Gordon - Class of 1970 , CS-39

Deceased on January 18, 1994

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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