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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Col (Ret) Thomas Pratt - Class of 1970 , CS-40

Deceased on February 5, 2014 - Informed on February 11, 2014

Update: Due to inclement weather in North Carolina, the mass that was originally scheduled to be held there, had to be cancelled. Therefore, the family has scheduled a funeral mass to be held at the Cadet Catholic Chapel on Tuesday, 18 Feb 14, 1300 hours, followed by interment in the USAFA Cemetery. Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation will be on 13Feb 2014 from 1800 to 2000 hrs. at Hall - Wynn Funeral Home: 1113 W. Main St.; Durham, NC 27701 (919) 688-6387. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 1100 on 14 Feb 2014 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church: 920 Carmichael St., Chapel Hill, NC 27515. Burial with full military honors will be held on 18 Feb 2014 at 1300 hrs at the USAFA Cemetery with a reception immediately following at DooLittle Hall (AOG): 3116 Academy Drive.. USAFA, CO 80840-4475 The family has suggested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the following charities: Class of 70 Gift Fund: USAFA Endowment, 3116 Academy Dr., USAFA, CO 80840-4475 Hock Family Pavilion Hospice at Duke Hospice: 4023 N. Roxboro Rd., Durham, NC 27704

Lt Col (Ret) Thomas Pyrch - Class of 1974 , CS-26

Deceased on January 4, 2018 - Informed on January 9, 2018

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Lt Col Pyrch graduated from CS-26. Visitation will be held on 12 Jan 2018 from 1700-1900 hours at the Renaissance Funeral Home; 7615 Six Forks Rd; Raleigh, NC 27615; (919) 866-1866; www.rfhr.com. A funeral service will be held on 13 Jan 2018 at 1400 hours at the North Raleigh Presbyterian Church; 11905 Strickland Rd; Raleigh, NC 27613. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; CB #7295; Chapel Hill, NC 27599; (919) 966-5905; www.unclinberger.org or to the USAFA Endowment; 3116 Academy Dr., Ste 200; USAF Academy, CO 80840; (719) 472-0300, Ext. 200; www.usafa.org/give.

Mr. Johann Radcliffe - Class of 1973 , CS-35

Deceased on May 15, 2024 - Informed on June 18, 2024

Please contact the Assocation of Graduates for condolence information. Celebration of Life: 1500 hours 8 June 2024 at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, 1604 NE Main St., Simpsonville, SC 29681. Funeral service: 1000 hours 13 September 2024 at the USAFA cemetery. A reception will follow at the Eisenhower Golf Course Clubhouse. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the United States Air Force Academy Association of Graduates and Foundation at https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1885/21/interior-2col.aspx?sid=1885&gid=2&pgid=418&cid=1063 Obituary: https://thomasmcafee.com/obituary/johann-radcliffe/

Col (Ret) Thomas Rauk - Class of 1964 , CS-07

Deceased on April 13, 2011 - Informed on April 15, 2011

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral services will be held at 1000 hrs on 21 June 2011 at the USAFA Cemetery Memorial Pavilion.

Mr. Thomas Rhoades - Class of 1962 , CS-03

Deceased on June 21, 1998

Maj (Ret) Thomas Rice - Class of 1992 , CS-33

Deceased on November 16, 2024 - Informed on November 25, 2024

Visitation: 1500 until 1700 hours on 1 December 2024, at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808. 1000 until 1130 hours 2 December 2024, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 901 East Newport Pike, Wilmington, DE 19804. Mass of Christian Burial: 1130 hours on 2 December 2024, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 901 East Newport Pike, Wilmington, DE 19804. A full military interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE. Memorial donations: in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hockey Fights Cancer at https://www.nhl.com/community/hockey-fights-cancer/, or to the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Colorectal Cancer Research at https://www.mskcc.org/research-programs/colorectal-cancer-research. Obituary: https://www.dohertyfh.com/obituary/Thomas-Rice#obituary

2d Lt Thomas Roby - Class of 1967 , CS-08

Deceased on August 25, 1967

1st Lt Thomas Rock , Jr. - Class of 1967 , CS-07

Deceased on September 7, 1969

Mr. Thomas Rosenstock - Class of 1970 , CS-31

Deceased on July 7, 1979

Dr. Thomas Ruhsam - Class of 1974 , CS-14

Deceased on March 19, 2023 - Informed on September 5, 2024

Please contact the Assocation of Graduates for condolence information. No further details are available at this time.

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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