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. Kreg Palko - Class of 1988 , CS-12

Deceased on October 6, 2017 - Informed on October 12, 2017

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Celebration of Life service will be held on 21 Oct 2017 from 1400-1700 hours at the Biltmore Hotel Ballroom; 11 Dorrance St; Providence, RI 02903. The family has suggested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association Rhode Island Chapter; 2374 Post Rd, suite 103; Warwick, RI 02886-2270; (401) 732-1609; www.alsari.org or the ALS Therapy Development Institute; 300 Technology Sq, suite 400; Cambridge, MA 02139; (617) 441-7204; www.als.net/donate. His obituary may be viewed online at www.nardolillofh.com.

Mr. Paul Pokorny III - Class of 1988 , CS-25

Deceased on December 29, 2020 - Informed on January 5, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. No services are scheduled. His obituary can be found at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/collierville-tn/paul-pokorny-9973418.

Ms. Sandra Rhodes - Class of 1988 , CS-33

Deceased on March 27, 1988 - Informed on March 27, 1988

Mr. Jeffery Riddlebarger - Class of 1988 , CS-18

Deceased on August 14, 2013 - Informed on August 16, 2013

please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence informaiton. A funeral service will be held on 21 Aug 2013 at 1000 hrs at the USAFA Cadet Protestant Chapel. Interment will follow at the USAFA Cemetery.

Capt Jon Rupp - Class of 1988 , CS-12

Deceased on September 2, 1994

Col (Ret) Christopher Scharenbrock - Class of 1988 , CS-26

Deceased on November 4, 2019 - Informed on November 10, 2019

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 19 Nov 2019 at 1530 hours at the Father's House Church; 4800 Horse Creek Dr; Vacaville, CA 95688; (707) 455-7790. Visitation will begin at 1430 hours at the church. He will be laid to rest in Sacramento Valley National Cemetery; 5180 Midway Rd; Dixon, CA 95620 on 20 Nov 2019 at 0930 hours. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made to the Boy Scouts of America; www.scouting.org or to the Fisher House Foundation, Inc; 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy, Suite 410; Rockville, MD 20852; (888) 294-8560; www.fisherhouse.org.

Mr. Michael Sewell - Class of 1988 , CS-11

Deceased on July 3, 2012 - Informed on November 8, 2012

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services were held on 9 July 2012 in Grand Junction, CO. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the following charities: Tim Sewell Memorial Trail Fund; Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association; PO Box 4602; Grand Junction CO 81052-4602. Please make checks payable to COPMOBA University of Pittsburgh Brain Trauma Research in memory of Tim Sewell; Medical & Health Sciences Foundation; ATTN: Amy Lombard; 3600 Forbes Ave, ste 8084; Pittsburgh, PA 15313

Mr. Michael Shipley - Class of 1988 , CS-27

Deceased on November 10, 2002

Lt Col (Ret) James Sisler - Class of 1988 , CS-20

Deceased on December 2, 2015 - Informed on December 30, 2015

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services were held on 10 Dec 2015 at 1400 hrs. at Immanuel Lutheran Church; 3801 Cunningham Rd; Killeen, TX 76542 The family has suggested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to ColorCancer, a non-profit that he and his daughter worked closely with. In honor of Jim's life, a fundraising webpage has been created. https://www.crowdrise.com/inhonorofyouwestern All donations will be given to ColorCancer

Lt Col Dorriss Smith - Class of 1988 , CS-30

Deceased on April 20, 2017

Page 3 of 4 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