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) Paul Pirtle - Class of 1962 , CS-08

Deceased on December 22, 2022 - Informed on January 20, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Memorial Service: 2 Feb 2023 at 1430 hours Baca's Funeral Chapels - Las Cruces, 300 Boutz Rd, Las Cruces, NM 88005 Obituary: https://www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com/obituary/paul-pirtle Memorial Donation: The family has suggested memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to a charity of your choice.

Lt Col (Ret) Douglas Pritchard - Class of 1993 , CS-18

Deceased on November 4, 2023 - Informed on November 28, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Memorial service: 1100 hours on 11 Nov 2023 at Mission Church, 651 Lampeter Rd., Lancaster, PA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Doug's memory to Oak Hill Fellowship Church, https://www.oakhillfellowship.com/giving Obituary: https://lancasteronline.com/obituaries/douglas-e-pritchard/article_8c7b1257-3671-5c81-9b47-366c5ed2cabe.html

Lt Col (Ret) William Purcell - Class of 1971 , CS-02

Deceased on July 21, 2023 - Informed on September 13, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral services were held on 27 Jul 2023 in Bonham, TX. Memorial donations: Fannin Pregnancy Care Center, 1500 N, Center, Bonham, TX 75418 800-712-4357 https://app.easytithe.com/App/Giving/fpccgiving

Maj (Ret) Michael Ramirez - Class of 1994 , CS-14

Deceased on December 13, 2023 - Informed on December 28, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation: 0930 hours on 22 Dec 2023 at Pax Christi Catholic Community, 12100 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN 55347. Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1100 hours on 22 Dec 2023 at Pax Christi Catholic Community, 12100 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN 55347. Burial service: Pleasant Hill Cemetery, 12390 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN 55347. Memorial donations: Folds of Honor Foundation, https://foldsofhonor.org/ or to Prevent Cancer Foundation, https://www.preventcancer.org/. Obituary: https://www.swnewsmedia.com/onlinemarketplace/tributes/obituaries/obituary-for-michael-ramirez/article_a657e3d0-9dec-11ee-ba31-4772107b8638.html

Mr. Edward Reisdorf - Class of 1963 , CS-18

Deceased on October 19, 2023 - Informed on October 31, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Burial service: 0900 hours 8 Nov 2023 at the USAFA Cemetery.

Lt Col Christopher Reteneller - Class of 2002 , CS-08

Deceased on March 27, 2023 - Informed on April 12, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral service: 3 Apr 2023 at 1000 hours St Patrick Catholic Church, 508 W Angus Rd, Gretna, NE 68028 Obituary: https://obituaries.roedermortuary.com/christopher-reteneller Memorial Donations: Graduate Dependent Scholarship, Association of Graduates, 3116 Academy Dr, USAF Academy, CO 80840

Mr. Charles Richardson , Jr. - Class of 1972 , CS-10

Deceased on January 7, 2023 - Informed on February 17, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral Service: Celebration of Life 30 Jan 2023 at 1200 hours Charles W. Smith& Sons Funeral Home, 601 Tennessee, McKinney, TX 75071 Memorial Donations: Samaritan Inn, 1514 N McDonald St, Mickinney, TX 75071; (972) 542-5302 https://saminn.salsalabs.org/communitysupportfy21/index.html St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105; (800) 805-5856 https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?frequency_selected=0&sc_icid=home-btn-donate-now&_ga=2.41735970.1816017446.1675100346-193227869.1675100346

Lt Col (Ret) James Richmond - Class of 1964 , CS-18

Deceased on April 4, 2023 - Informed on April 12, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Memorial service: 24 Apr 2023 at 1100 hours Grace Chapel at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 600 St Andrews Rd, Newport Beach, CA 92663 Burial: Arlington National Cemetery

Maj (Ret) Jeffery Riles , Sr. - Class of 1982 , CS-26

Deceased on August 24, 2023 - Informed on September 12, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral service: 14 Sep 2023 at 1000 hours USAFA Community Center Chapel, 5134 Cathedral Dr, USAFA, CO 80840 Burial will immediately follow in the USAFA Cemetery Obituary: https://www.bunkerfuneral.com/obituaries/jeffery-maurice-riles-sr/

Maj Gen (Ret) Peter Robinson - Class of 1962 , CS-19

Deceased on December 1, 2023 - Informed on December 13, 2023

Please contact the Assocation of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral Mass: 1100 hours on 22 Dec 2023 at St. Therese Catholic Church, 3424 4th St. NW, Abuquerque, NM. Interment: 1000 hours on 19 April 2024 at the USAFA cemetery. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers, contributions to Catholic Charities, Albuquerque will be gratefully accepted in Pete's name. https://apps.ccasfnm.org/donate-now Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/abqjournal/name/peter-robinson-obituary?id=53803826

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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