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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Lt Col (Ret) James Heffner - Class of 1977 , CS-19

Deceased on November 4, 2023 - Informed on November 20, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A burial service will be held at 1300 hours on 21 Nov 2023 at the USAFA Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Teller County Regional Animal Shelter https://www.tcrascolorado.org/donate.html Obituary: https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/co/woodland-park/james-edward-heffner-17225505

Maj (Ret) Walter Hern - Class of 1977 , CS-32

Deceased on August 22, 2019 - Informed on August 26, 2019

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Celebration of Life will be held on 30 Aug 2019 at 1030 hours at Boone Funeral Home; 2156 Airline Dr; Bossier City, LA 71111; (318) 232-2551; www.boonefh.com. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the American Cancer Society; PO Box 22718; Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718; (800) 227-2345; www.cancer.org or to the Pet Savers Shelter; 4380 Noyes Dr; Shreveport, LA 71119; (318) 636-0400; www.petsaversshreveport.org.

Lt Col (Ret) Daniel Hinkin - Class of 1977 , CS-18

Deceased on August 5, 2013

Capt Stanley Hinoki - Class of 1977 , CS-04

Deceased on March 12, 1985

Mr. Robert Hoover - Class of 1977 , CS-03

Deceased on January 14, 2023 - Informed on February 23, 2023

No further information is available.

Col (Ret) Karl Hurdle - Class of 1977 , CS-18

Deceased on February 10, 2017 - Informed on February 13, 2017

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service was held on 21 Feb 2017 at the USAFA Cemetery.

Lt Col (Ret) Frederick Jaklitsch - Class of 1977 , CS-04

Deceased on March 22, 2021 - Informed on March 26, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral mass will be held on 30 Mar 2021 at 10:00 am at St. Nicholas Catholic Church; 625 Saint Nicholas Drive;O'Fallon, IL 62269. A burial will be held on 9 Apr 2021at 1000 hours at the United States Air Force Academy, CO 80841. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be moved to the Memorial Pavilion.

Maj (Ret) Daniel Jarka - Class of 1977 , CS-35

Deceased on May 22, 2024 - Informed on June 12, 2024

Please contact the Assocation of Graduates for condolence information. Service information: Burial take place at 1100 hours 12 June 2024 at the USAFA cemetery. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Men's United States Air Force Academy Rugby team at https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1885/21/interior-2col.aspx?sid=1885&gid=2&pgid=418&cid=1063, choose view all giving opportunities and search for Rugy or the Sarcoma Foundation of America at https://www.curesarcoma.org/donate-today/. Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/colorado-springs-co/daniel-jarka-11838630

Col (Ret) Ronald Kennedy - Class of 1977 , CS-17

Deceased on May 18, 2021 - Informed on June 7, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral services will be held on 22 Jun 2021 at the Borthwick Mortuary; 1330 Maunakea Street; Honolulu, HI 96817. A schedule of the events are as follows: 0900 to 1000 visitation, 1000 to 1100 Funeral services, 1100 to 1230 refreshmants, and at 1300 Burial at the National Cemetery of the Pacific.

1st Lt Richard Kumpf - Class of 1977 , CS-15

Deceased on June 30, 1979

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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