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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Maj Gen (Ret) Jerrold Allen - Class of 1966 , CS-09

Deceased on December 13, 2023 - Informed on December 19, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Memorial service: 1330 hours, 29 Dec 2023 at Joint Base San Antonio Randolph Air Force Base Chapel One, 2 Washington Circle, Randolph AFB, TX,. Interment: At a later date at USAFA cemetery, Memorial donations: The family has suggested in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Major General Jerrold P. Allen Fund for Leadership Excellence at Virginia Tech. Donations can be made at vtcc.vt.edu/give.html and should include the fund name (The VTCC Major General Jerrold P. Allen Fund for Leadership Excellence) and fund number (860521). Obituary: https://www.porterloring.com/obituaries/Jerrold-Park-Allen?obId=30132293

Lt Col (Ret) Stephen Alltop - Class of 1981 , CS-17

Deceased on May 4, 2023 - Informed on May 17, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral Service: 24 May 2023 at 1100 hours USAFA Community Center Chapel, 5134 Cathedral Dr, Ste 100, USAF Academy, CO 80840 Burial: 24 May 2023 USAFA Cemetery following service.

Lt Col (Ret) Carl Armstrong - Class of 1976 , CS-05

Deceased on December 4, 2022 - Informed on December 29, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral service: 1 May 2023 at 1430 hours Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N Guadalupe St, Santa Fe, NM 87501 Obituary: https://www.steedtodd.com/obituary/Carl-Armstrong

Mr. Erkki Aspelin - Class of 1963 , CS-23

Deceased on April 10, 2023 - Informed on May 9, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral Service: 22 May 2023 at 1400 hours USAFA Cemetery

Mr. Daniel Baumgartner , Jr. - Class of 1979 , CS-24

Deceased on April 23, 2023 - Informed on May 5, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates fro condolence information. Funeral Service: 8 May 2023 at 1100 hours Covenant Funeral Service-Stafford, 1310 Courthouse Rd, Stafford, VA 22554 Burial: Follows funeral service Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Rd, Triangle, VA 22172 A reception at the funeral home will be held after the burial. Memorial Donations: Please make Checks payable to WarFighters PHC. Please notate on memo line "For Bubba Memorial." WarFighters Motorcyle Club, 5219 Cedar Ridge Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Mr. Travis Beeson , Jr. - Class of 1980 , CS-22

Deceased on January 22, 2023 - Informed on January 23, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Obituary:https://www.parkerrhodenfuneralhome.com/obituary/travis-beeson Memorial service: 4 Mar 2023 at 1100 hours Bethel United Methodist Church, 355 Hampton St, Walterboro, SC 29488 Memorial Donations: Bethel United Methodist Church at the address above. Give online at https://onrealm.org/walterborobethelumc/-/form/give/now

Col (Ret) Gordon Bendick - Class of 1973 , CS-09

Deceased on September 4, 2023 - Informed on November 15, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral service: A graveside service will be held at 1300 hours on 20 Nov 2023 at the USAFA Cemetery. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Gordon's name to the National Character and Leadership Symposium. Address gifts to the Air Force Academy Foundation, 3116 Academy Dr. USAFA, CO 80840. Please note on donation "Class of 1973 Endowment for NCLS." Obituary: https://memorials.aefuneral.com/gordon-bendick/5264299/

Mr. James Bilello - Class of 1960 , CS-04

Deceased on October 23, 2023 - Informed on November 1, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Memorial service: 1130 hours on 30 Nov 2023 at Harvey Park Christian Church, 3401 S. Lowell Blvd, Denver, CO. Burial service: A private burial service will be held at a later date at the USAFA Cemetery. Obituary: https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/29748771/james-anthony-bilello/wheat-ridge/colorado/all-veterans-funeral-cremation---wheat-ridge

Mr. Marcus Blakely , Jr. - Class of 1995 , CS-40

Deceased on July 7, 2023 - Informed on September 21, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral Service: 4 Aug 2023 at 1400 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. Visitation: 4 Aug 2023 1730 hours until 1800 hours at the Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight, 13005 Wings Way, Centennial, CO 80112 Memorial Donations: UC Health Cancer Center - Anschutz Oncology https://www.uchealthnocofoundation.org/donate/

Col (Ret) William Blitt , Sr. - Class of 1966 , CS-14

Deceased on September 25, 2022 - Informed on October 5, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation: 7 Oct 2022 1800-2000 hours Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home,2525 N Central Expressway, Allen, TX 75013. Memorial service: 8 Oct 2022 1000 hours St. Jude's Catholic Church, 1515 N Greenville Ave, Allen, TX 75002 His funeral and burial services are intended for early June 2023 at USAFA, the date is still to be determined. Obituary can be found at https://www.turrentinejacksonmorrow.com/obituaries/col-william-john-blitt-sr In lieu flowers, donations may be made to the following charities: Allen Food Pantry, C/O St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 Greenville Ave, Aleen, TX 75002, ATTN: Business Office, https://allenfoodpantry.org/donations/ Scholarship Fund in Bill's name for a student at Collin College in McKinney, TX, https://www.collin.edu/foundation/give/mems%20and%20tribs.html

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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