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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Mr. Richard Ulmer - Class of 1973 , CS-07

Deceased on October 26, 2023 - Informed on November 7, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral service: A private service will be held on a later date at Rose Ridge Cemetery, Naples, NY. Obituary: https://www.bairdfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Richard-M-Ulmer?obId=29794985

Mr. John Van Coevering - Class of 1973 , CS-08

Deceased on September 17, 2011 - Informed on September 22, 2011

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services will be held on 25 Sept 2011 at 1500 hrs at the Christ the King Lutheran Church; 112+5 SW 57th Ave; Pinecrest FL 33156. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Christ the King Lutheran Church at the address above.

Mr. William Vinnedge - Class of 1973 , CS-26

Deceased on May 23, 2021 - Informed on June 4, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 11 Jun 2021, at 1000 hours, at the USAFA Cemetery. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be moved to the Memorial Pavilion.

2d Lt Keith Walker - Class of 1973 , CS-08

Deceased on January 30, 1976

Mr. Gary Wigle - Class of 1973 , CS-25

Deceased on April 23, 2016 - Informed on April 25, 2016

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service will be held on 1 May 2016 at 1500 hours at the Grace Community Church; 1320 Auburn Way S; Auburn, WA 98002. His family has suggested that donations in lieu of flowers be sent to the American Heart Association; PO Box 840692; Dallas, TX 75284 (800) 242-8724 www.heart.org.

Capt James Winburn - Class of 1973 , CS-30

Deceased on December 3, 1977

2d Lt William Wyatt - Class of 1973 , CS-04

Deceased on February 27, 1975

Lt Col (Ret) Ray Yagher , Jr. - Class of 1973 , CS-40

Deceased on October 7, 2022

Lt Col (Ret) Steven Yestness - Class of 1973 , CS-01

Deceased on December 22, 2009 - Informed on December 28, 2009

Please Contact the AOG for Condolence Information Viewing will be 4 Jan 2010 from 1700-1900 hrs at the Swan Law Funeral Home, 501 N Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs CO 80903 Memorial Service will be held at the USAF Academy Cemetery Memorial Pavilion at 1000 hrs 5 Jan 2010

Mr. Roger Youel - Class of 1973 , CS-01

Deceased on February 24, 2013 - Informed on March 14, 2013

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral services were held on 2 March 2013 in Albuquerque, NM.

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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