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. Randall Spivey - Class of 1988 , CS-35

Deceased on November 18, 2023 - Informed on April 4, 2025

Burial service: Private for family 30 November 2023, Heritage Funeral Home. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association at https://www.heart.org/en/, Victory Faith Church at https://victoryfaith.org/, or to the Salvation Army at https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/. Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/randy-spivey-obituary?id=53739072

Col Michael Stapleton - Class of 1988 , CS-38

Deceased on November 6, 2012 - Informed on November 6, 2012

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Funeral Mass was said at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Lakeridge, VA on 23 Aug 2012.  He will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery on 9 Nov 2012 at 1300 hrs with full military honors. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to any or all of the following charities: Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C); File 1224; 1801 W Olympic Blvd; Pasadena, CA 91199-1224  www.standup2cancer.org (888) 90-STAND (888) 907-8263 National Bone Marrow Donor Program; Be The Match; 3001 Broadway St NW, Ste 100; Minneapolis, MN 55413-1753 www.marrow.org (800) 507-5427 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Donor services; PO Box 4072; Pittsfield, MA 01202-4072  www.leukemia.org (888) 557-7177

Ms. Annette Stephens - Class of 1988 , CS-26

Deceased on April 11, 2023 - Informed on October 23, 2023

Please contact the Assocation of Graduates for condolence information.

2ndLt Cyrus Whinnery - Class of 1988 , CS-25

Deceased on June 18, 1990

Mr. Gregory Wright - Class of 1988 , CS-34

Deceased on September 27, 2023 - Informed on October 1, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation: 4 Oct 2023 at 1030 hours at Monument Hill Church, 18725 Monument Hill Road, Monument, CO 80132. Funeral servic e: 4 Oct 2023 at 1200 hours at Monument Hill Road Church, 18725 Monument Hill Road, Monument, CO 80132. Graveside service: 4 Oct 2023 at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, 3024 Parade Loop, Air Force Academy, CO 80840 immediatley following the funeral service. Memorial donations: Donations may be made to the Allan Wright Scholarship Fund c/o Monument Hill Church, 18725 Monument Hill Dr, Monument, CO 80132. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/colorado-springs-co/gregory-wright-11479411

Lt Col (Ret) Daniel Wuchenich - Class of 1988 , CS-03

Deceased on January 6, 2014 - Informed on January 14, 2014

Please contact the Association of graduates for condolence information. Services were held on 11 Jan 2014 in Woodbridge, VA. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery on 16 May 2014 at 1500 hrs. Memorial donations may be made to the Wings of Blue Association; "Wuchenich Assistance Fund"; PO Box 248; USAF Academy, CO 80840. Please be sure to include "Wuchenich Assistance Fund" on the memo line.

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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