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.

Reset
Col (Ret) Daniel Connelly - Class of 1973 , CS-31

Deceased on July 21, 2020 - Informed on July 28, 2020

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services will take place on 29 Jul 2020 with a live stream video that can be viewed at; https://team1sports.com/SLUHAthletics/, at 11:00 CST.

Mr. Edward Cruice III - Class of 1973 , CS-23

Deceased on August 19, 1979

Col (Ret) Gregory Cummins - Class of 1973 , CS-37

Deceased on August 6, 2023 - Informed on August 28, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Memorial Service: 3 Sep 2023 at 1500 hours Christ Community Church, 300 S Artizan St, Williamsport, MD 21795 Visitation at the church will be from 1400-1500 hours. Second Memorial Service: 17 Sep 2023 at 1400 hours Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church, 1500 Broad River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210 Burial: Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Donations: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105; (800) 805-5856; stjude.org

Lt Col (Ret) Michael Davenport - Class of 1973 , CS-07

Deceased on September 29, 2021 - Informed on October 12, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Colonel Davenport will be buried in Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA on a later date still to be determined. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made to the Choloangiocarcinoma Foundation; 5526 W 13400 S, #510; Herriman, UT 84096; (888) 936-6731; Donate online at https://cholangiocarcinoma.org/donate/. His obituary can be found at https://www.fairfieldfuneral-home.com/obituaries/Michael-Davenport-8/.

Lt Col (Ret) Douglas Dick - Class of 1973 , CS-09

Deceased on May 7, 2012 - Informed on May 8, 2012

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 14 May 2012 at 1600 hrs at the Compass Bible Church; 150 Columbia; Aliso Viejo, CA 92656. Graveside service will be held at the USAFA Cemetery on 18 May 2012 at 1300 hrs.

Mr. Larry Dodge - Class of 1973 , CS-05

Deceased on January 20, 2018 - Informed on January 24, 2018

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Viewing will be held from 0900-1045 hours on 26 Jan 2018 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Castlewood Canyon Ward; 7160 Bayou Gulch Rd; Parker, CO 80134. A funeral service will follow at 1100 hours at the Church. A graveside service will be held on 26 Jan 2018 at 1330 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. Service information can be viewed and condolences may be left on the Parker and Elizabeth Funeral Home website www.pfh-co.com.

Capt Eddy Drake - Class of 1973 , CS-08

Deceased on May 21, 1977

2d Lt Frank Ellis , Jr. - Class of 1973 , CS-29

Deceased on January 30, 1976

Mr. Resty Ergonis - Class of 1973 , CS-20

Deceased on May 27, 2019 - Informed on August 18, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Mr. Ergonis was buried at the San Joaquin National Cemetery, Section C-19 and Site 453; 32053 McCabe Road; Santa Nella, CA 95322; (209) 854-1040.

Mr. David Essig - Class of 1973 , CS-28

Deceased on February 26, 2024 - Informed on March 5, 2024

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Celebration of Life: 1900 hours on 3 Mar 2024 at Newcomer- SW Toledo Chapel, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo, OH 43614. Funeral Mass: 1030 hours on 4 Mar 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 104 W Broadway St, Maumee, OH 43537. Interment will follow at Laketownship Cemetery, 3550 Walbridge Rd, Millbury, OH 43447. Obituary: https://www.newcomertoledo.com/Obituary/274708/David-Essig/Toledo-OH

Page 3 of 11 total

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