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) Mark Fischer - Class of 1969 , CS-19

Deceased on April 19, 2021 - Informed on April 22, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on 17 Jul 2021 at 11:00 am at the St. Paul Lutheran Church; 125 C. Street; Lewistown, MT 59457 with military honors. Mark's family suggests that memorial donations be sent to St. Paul Lutheran Church in lieu of flowers. Mark's family and friends can share memories at www.creelfuneralhome.com.

2d Lt Cailin Foster - Class of 2021 , CS-13

Deceased on November 8, 2021 - Informed on November 10, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 1 Dec 2021 at 1200 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be moved to the Memorial Pavilion.

Mr. Cordis Foster - Class of 1995 , CS-34

Deceased on January 12, 2021 - Informed on January 28, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service was held on 28 Jan 2021 at 1630 hours at the East Side Church of Christ, Colorado Springs, CO. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care; 2550 Tenderfoot Hill St; Colorado Springs, CO 80906. His obituary can be found online at www.allveterans.com.

Mr. Matthew Frank - Class of 2017

Deceased on August 7, 2021 - Informed on August 11, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A viewing will be held on 17 Aug 2021 from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Sylvian Funeral Home; 2750 Highway 42N; McDonough GA. There will be a private funeral mass the next day, which will be live streamed. A memorial celebration of life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The EHE Foundation; www.fightehe.org.

Mr. James Gallagher - Class of 1962 , CS-18

Deceased on March 23, 2021 - Informed on March 29, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A celebration of life will be held on 15 Apr 2021 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Starks Funeral Parlor; 3651 South 900 East; Salt Lake City, UT 84106. Photos and memories can be shared of him for his family at the following link: www.starksfuneral.com.

Mr. Craig Gilbert - Class of 1978 , CS-21

Deceased on June 16, 2021 - Informed on August 11, 2021

A funeral service will be held on 2 Sept 2021 at 1200 hours at the USAFA Cemetery.

Mr. Howard Gooden - Class of 1971 , CS-31

Deceased on November 10, 2017 - Informed on November 17, 2017

Mr. Gooden graduated from CS-31. A memorial service will be held on 18 Feb 2021 at 1000 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. In the event of inclement weather the service will be moved to the Memorial Pavilion. At his family's request his cremated remains were buried on 22 Jan 2021.

Mr. Kenneth Goodwin - Class of 1979 , CS-24

Deceased on March 30, 2021 - Informed on April 13, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service will be held on 17 Apr 2021. Visitation will begin at 1430 hours with the service immediately following at 1500 hours at the RB Golf Club and Resort; 400 Hamilton Way; Runaway Bay, TX 76426. His obituary can be found and condolences left online at https://www.hawkinsfuneralhome.com/obituary/Kenny-Goodwin. His family will welcome flowers but has also suggested that memorial donations be made in Kenny's memory to your favorite charity.

Col (Ret) Thomas Gorges - Class of 1965 , CS-08

Deceased on September 24, 2021 - Informed on September 27, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 5 Oct 2021 at 1000 hours at the USAFA Cemetery Memorial Pavilion. Burial will immediately follow. His obituary can be found at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kansas/name/thomas-gorges-obituary?n=thomas-gorges&pid=200229404&fhid=4381&utm_source=MarketingCloud&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ObitMessenger_Results_PowerInbox_Neustar_081320&utm_content=ObituaryURL&sfmc_id=10120574&env=1bb3e59a170d6ee57c05160300b4089f385764d2 His family has suggested that memorial Donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation (AFAAC); 2168 Seal House Dr; USAF Academy, CO 80840. Please note Falcons Football in memory of Col (Ret) Thomas Gorges. Donate online at https://falconathleticfund.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=ACFA690B-C6D2-467A-B716-78FB42691F32&menu_id=29FA9BD2-9425-423B-91FB-97B03B2573AD

Mr. Harry Gornto III

Deceased on November 6, 2020 - Informed on November 9, 2020

UPDATE: A funeral service will be held on 14 May 2021 at 1000 hours at the USAFA Cemetery Memorial Pavilion followed by placement in the Columbarium. The original notice is below. Funeral services will be later on a later date still to be determined, His obituary can be found at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made to The Air Force Enlisted Village - Hawthorn House; 92 Sunset Ln; Shalimar FL .32579; (800) 258-1413; https://give.afev.us/give/198586/#!/donation/checkout

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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