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. Michael Patton - Class of 1973 , CS-35

Deceased on June 20, 2014 - Informed on July 16, 2014

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service was held on 24 June 2014 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Maplewood, NJ. He was buried in the Zimpfer Family Plot in Troy Mills, IA on 29 June 2014. The family has suggested that , in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Kidney Cancer Association; PO Box 803338 #38269; Chicago, IL 60680-3338; (800) 850-9132 www.kidneycancer.org

2d Lt Frank Peffer - Class of 1973 , CS-18

Deceased on May 30, 1975

Col (Ret) John Pemberton - Class of 1973 , CS-32

Deceased on May 22, 2006 - Informed on September 20, 2006

Place: Virginia Condolences: Mrs Phyllis Feaherty, C/O Association of Graduates

Lt Col (Ret) Peter Penta , Jr. - Class of 1973 , CS-16

Deceased on March 20, 2022 - Informed on April 6, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral services will be held on 12 April 2022 at 1100 hours at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover, DE 19901. Visitation will be preceding the service at 1000 hours. Interment will be at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE 19701 For those unable to attend the funeral service there will be a livestream on www.torbertfuneral.com, it can be found under the "Upcoming Livestreams" tab and viewed by clicking on their name or by following this link. https://www.torbertfuneral.com/upcoming-livestreams/peter-penta-jr-april-12-2022 In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association and the Air Mobility Command Museum Foundation.

Maj (Ret) Stephen Popper - Class of 1973 , CS-38

Deceased on August 15, 2022 - Informed on August 24, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A private family service was held 17 Aug 2022 in Washington Court House, OH. He was buried in the Washington Cemetery Veteran's section with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in his memory to Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation, http://tunnel2towers.org, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306, or Standardbred Retirement Foundation, https: //adoptahorse.org, SRF Farm, 42 Arneytown-Hornerstown Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514.

Maj (Ret) Kevin Powers - Class of 1973 , CS-28

Deceased on January 15, 2015 - Informed on July 25, 2016

Please contact the Associaiton of Graduates for condolence information. Services were held at the time of his passing at Baughman Center in Gainesville, FL.

Lt Col (Ret) John Pretz - Class of 1973 , CS-06

Deceased on October 15, 2011 - Informed on October 18, 2011

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation will be held on 20 Oct 2011 from 1730-2100 hrs at the Pierce Funeral Home; 9606 Center St; Manassas VA 20110. Rosary followed by a Eulogy will begin at 1900. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 21 Oct 2011 at 1100 hrs at St Andrews the Apostle Catholic Church; 6720 Union Mill Rd; Clifton VA 20124. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date TBD. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of flowers or contributions to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, P.O Box 5105 Arlington Virginia 22205 Attn: Secretary or to Inova Fairfax Hospital Neuroscience ICU, c/o Inova Health System Foundation, 8110 Gatehouse Road, Suite 300E, Falls Church, VA 22041 Attn: Dayna Kuhar, in loving memory of John M.Pretz.

Mr. James Price - Class of 1973 , CS-32

Deceased on July 25, 2003

Mr. Johann Radcliffe - Class of 1973 , CS-35

Deceased on May 15, 2024 - Informed on June 18, 2024

Please contact the Assocation of Graduates for condolence information. Celebration of Life: 1500 hours 8 June 2024 at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, 1604 NE Main St., Simpsonville, SC 29681. Funeral service: 1000 hours 13 September 2024 at the USAFA cemetery. A reception will follow at the Eisenhower Golf Course Clubhouse. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the United States Air Force Academy Association of Graduates and Foundation at https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1885/21/interior-2col.aspx?sid=1885&gid=2&pgid=418&cid=1063 Obituary: https://thomasmcafee.com/obituary/johann-radcliffe/

Mr. Mark Ralston - Class of 1973 , CS-02

Deceased on March 10, 2019 - Informed on March 18, 2019

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral services will be private for the family at their convenience. The family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to a hospice program of your choice.

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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