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. John Gonsky - Class of 1960 , CS-02

Deceased on October 19, 2022 - Informed on October 20, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation will begin at 1100 hours on 21 Oct 2022 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 3015 Roundelay Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24052. Mass will follow at 1200 hours. A reception will follow the services at the church hall. Burial is intended in Spring Grove Cemetery, Northampton, MA on a date still to be determined. His family has requested memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Jubilee Family Development Center, 1512 Florida Ave, Lynchburg, VA 24501, http://www.jubileefamily.org/donate/ His obituary can be found at https://www.heritagefuneralandcremation.com/obituaries/John-Peter-Gonsky?obId=26172827#/celebrationWall

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

Lt Col (Ret) Athos Guillot , Jr. - Class of 1960 , CS-14

Deceased on May 15, 2020 - Informed on May 19, 2020

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service will be held on 3 Sep 2020 at 1000 hours at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish; 5150 N Valley View Rd; Tucson, AZ 85718; (520) 577-8780; www.statucson.org.

Col (Ret) Albert Hamilton - Class of 1965 , CS-12

Deceased on November 24, 2023 - Informed on December 11, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Celebration of Life was held on 9 Dec 2023 at First United Methodist Church, Bryan, TX. Obituary: https://www.hillierfuneralhome.com/obituaries/colonel-albert-thomas-tom-hamilton

Mr. Thomas Hamilton - Class of 1973 , CS-14

Deceased on March 25, 2004

Mr. Thomas Hartwell - Class of 1975 , CS-40

Deceased on August 26, 1993

Mr. Thomas Herbst - Class of 1964 , CS-15

Deceased on October 28, 2024 - Informed on November 25, 2024

Memorial service: A funeral and memorial service will be held at a later date. Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pricecountyreview/name/thomas-herbst-obituary?id=56824307

Mr. Thomas Hill - Class of 1961 , CS-02

Deceased on February 7, 2021 - Informed on February 8, 2021

UPDATE: A funeral service and burial for Mr.Thomas and Mrs. Elizabeth Hill will be held on 14 May 2021 at 1300 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. I the event of inclement weather the service will be moved to the Memorial Pavilion. Mrs. Hill passed away on 24 Sept 2018. Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 13 Feb 2021 with the visitation beginning at 1100 hours at Billings Funeral Home; 812 Baldwin St; Elkhart, IN 46514; (574) 264-2425. The funeral service will begin at 1300 hours. You can view the service online via a Zoom meeting at https://us05web.zoom.us/j/87662849826?pwd=STZkaUpUV9Gc1g4MjJ4OGZubE9vUT09. Meeting ID: 876 6284 9826 Passcode: 444704 His obituary can be found at www.billingsfuneralhome.com His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the following charities: Humane Society of Elkhart County; 54867 CR 19; Bristol, IN 46507; www.elkharthumanesociety.org The Gary Sinise Foundation; PO Box 368; Woodland Hills, CA 91365; www.garysinisefoundation.org Riley's Children's Hospital; 705 Riley Hospital Dr, Rm 4510; Indianapolis, IN 46202; www.rileychildrens.org/about/ways-to-give

Col (Ret) Dennis Hilley - Class of 1979 , CS-18

Deceased on September 26, 2023 - Informed on October 2, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation: 3 Oct 2023 at 1000-1100 hours at The Church on Bayshore, 622 Bayshore Dr, Niceville, FL 32578. Funeral service: 3 Oct 2023 at 1100 hours at The Church on Bayshore, 622 Bayshore Dr, Nicevill, FL 32578. Interment with Military Honors: 3 Oct 2023 at 1400 hours, Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Rd, Pensacola, FL 32508. Memorial Donations: The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851, https://give.themmrf.org/give/278264/?_ga=2.67437905.1584007215.1696269361-1685670479.1696269361#!/donation/checkout Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, 4900 Tuttle Crossing Blvd, Dublin, OH 43016, https://support.davethomasfoundation.org/site/SPageNavigator/donation_interstitial_ads_search.html?s_src=google&s_subsrc=brand&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIydWqm_jXgQMVUAetBh0rJgDOEAAYASAAEgJlffD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Obituary: https://www.heritagegardensfuneralhome.com/obituary/Dennis-Hilley#obituary

Dr. Thomas Hutchison - Class of 1962 , CS-06

Deceased on April 22, 2023 - Informed on May 18, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral service: 26 May 2023 at 0900 USAFA Cemetery Celebration of Life: 27 May 2023 from 1300 to 1500 hours American Legion McCulloch-Wagner Post 109, 15921 S Houghton Rd, Vail, AZ 85641 Memorial Donations: Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675; (855) 448-3995 woundedwarriorproject.org Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301; Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301; (877) 647-8387 DAV.org

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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