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
Mr. Jon Baker - Class of 1977 , CS-18

Deceased on August 29, 2011 - Informed on November 5, 2020

No further information is available.

Lt Col (Ret) Douglas Banker - Class of 1977 , CS-18

Deceased on March 22, 2024

Mr. Kevin Bassett - Class of 1977 , CS-06

Deceased on May 9, 2024 - Informed on May 21, 2024

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral service: 1000 hours on 14 June 2024 at Blessing Colonial Chapel, 401 Elm St. Mansfield, TX 76063. A Committal service will follow at 1400 hours at Dallas- Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211. Obituary: https://www.blessingfuneralhome.net/obituaries/Kevin-Bassett/#!/Obituary

Mr. James Batton - Class of 1977 , CS-05

Deceased on January 17, 2016 - Informed on January 19, 2016

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A celebration of life will be held on 23 Jan 2016 at 1100hrs. at the First Baptist Church, Tellico Village; 205 Chota Rd; Loudon, TN 37774 The family has suggested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charity of your choice.

LT Thomas Beauclair - Class of 1977 , CS-14

Deceased on August 30, 1983

Mr. Ronald Borthwick - Class of 1977 , CS-12

Deceased on January 25, 1985

Mr. Mark Burlingham - Class of 1977 , CS-22

Deceased on March 24, 2017 - Informed on March 27, 2017

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation will be held on 28 Mar 2017 from 1600-2000 hours at the Baue Funeral Home and Crematory; 3950 W Clay St; St Charles, MO 63301 (636) 940-1000 www.baue.com. The funeral service will be held on 29 Mar 2017 at 1000 hours at the Harvester Christian Church; 2950 Kings Crossing; St Charles, MO 63303. Burial will be private in St Charles Memorial Gardens. His family has suggested that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Harvester Christian Church Sound Mission at the above address or online at www.harvesterchristian.org/give/

Maj Gen (Ret) Frank Casserino , Jr. - Class of 1977 , CS-34

Deceased on January 4, 2021 - Informed on January 7, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A graveside service will be held on 15 Jan 2021 at approx 1445 at the USAFA Cemetery. His obituary can be found at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/colorado-springs-co/frank-casserino-9986569. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Officers' Christian Fellowship; 3784 S Inca St; Englewood, CO 80110 or online at https://give.ministrylinq.com/app/giving/ocfusagive.

2d Lt Timothy Conway - Class of 1977 , CS-11

Deceased on April 11, 1978

Mr. Paul Craig - Class of 1977 , CS-38

Deceased on December 31, 2020 - Informed on January 12, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 20 Jan 2021 at 1000 hours at the USAFA Cemetery Memorial Pavilion. Burial will immediately follow in the cemetery.

Page 1 of 7 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