BOARD MEMBERS

BILL MEYER

Founder and Board Emeritus

Spokane, WA I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2009 at age 57 and had DBS (deep brain stimulation) in 2015. At an early age, scouting showed me a love for the outdoors through many day hikes and fifty milers. I have always been active in the outdoors enjoying hiking, rafting, skiing and fishing and I’ve logged over 1,000 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail and rafted many rivers in the Pacific Northwest, Colorado and Alaska.

PasstoPass has allowed me many more years outdoors with some great People with Parkinson’s, support hikers and my wife, Nadean. We plan to support PasstoPass with optimism towards the future.  Nadean Meyer is also Board Emeritus and continues to work on bookkeeping and record management. We are thankful and humbled by the range of volunteers who make PtP possible.

DIANE SCHUIRMAN-BROWER

President

In 2014, at age 42, my nearly six-year medical mystery was solved: young-onset Parkinson’s disease. For me, diagnosis and appropriate medication and treatment meant I regained some physical function: I had gone from walking five miles a day to literally not being able to walk around the block. You can read more about my Parkinson’s journey here and here.

About six months before my Parkinson’s diagnosis, I set a goal to walk a mile. I far exceeded that in 2019 with the Pass to Pass group. To me, living large with Parkinson’s means doing as much as I can for as long as I can, including continuing in my career, spending quality time with family and friends, and taking on new challenges.

My childhood was filled with many hours outdoors trail riding on horseback with my 4-H club and Backcountry Horsemen. From those experiences I learned patience, perseverance and the importance of preparation. Those lessons continue to serve me well. I’m looking forward to seeing familiar faces and making new memories on the Pacific Crest Trail.

JUDI SPENCER

Vice-President

Trail name: Songbird

Bonney Lake, WA Judi has been involved with the Parkinson’s community for over 25 years, beginning when her father was diagnosed with PD. Judi has lobbied in both Canada and the United States as a Parkinson’s Advocate. Judi is the Music Director for the World Parkinson’s's Congress, WPC, leading the Global WPC Choir at the World Parkinson’s Congress, a global medical research conference, in Portland, OR in 2016, in Kyoto, Japan in 2019 and in Barcelona, Spain in 2023. The next WPC will be in May, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. Judi travels internationally as a Music Specialist leading rhythm, music, and vocal workshops, and is a community choral director. You can join her weekly on Zoom, where she leads singing and drumming classes for the Parkinson’s community.

Judi is a woman who spends her energy seeking the beauty in life. Despite being generous with her time for the causes that mean most to her, she is a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and an outdoor enthusiast. Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, she learned to ski in the Canadian Rockies and spent summers hiking the trails between Banff and Jasper, Alberta.

Judi and her husband, Warren, currently live in the Cascade foothills of Mt. Rainier in Washington State with their dog, Graham. They live near their three sons and families consisting of two grandsons and three granddaughters.

TAKAHIRO (Hiro) SHIGEMITSU

Treasurer

Bellevue, WA After his diagnosis in 2018, Hiro got involved with Pass to Pass after being introduced to the organization by a local support group. Hiking has allowed him to stay positive and stay active. He says that he is probably in the best shape he has ever been in. He has hiked 6 trips since with Pass to Pass (including 2 John Muir Trail trips) and is always looking for a new challenge. He hopes that through Pass to Pass, others with PD are also gaining the confidence and hope that hiking has given him.
When he’s not hiking, Hiro likes computers, often spend time mentoring young software engineers. He also loves reading in the mornings and talking about cars with his son.

DAVE BAUMGART

Secretary

Bellevue, WA –David Baumgart has been hiking, backpacking, and mountain climbing ever since a family outing to Colorado when he was 17. His favorite mountain is Mt. Rainier which he finally summited on his 5^th attempt. David is a volunteer hiking leader for his church, his community, and the Northwest Parkinson’s Association. He always advises his hiking partners, Rule #1 is to stay within their safety comfort zone, and Rule #2 – have fun. His mantra is: “So Many Hikes, so little time.” David is a professional Sr. Project Manager, recently retired from the City of Seattle. David’s wife, Ruth, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s since 2016. They continue to enjoy hiking and camping – and their shared adventures as they explore our world. She agrees: their favorite hike is the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier.

As the Secretary of the Board, David embraces our mission to enable our Parkinson’s clients to continue hiking in the great outdoors and remain physically active.  He willingly accepts the administrative responsibilities appropriate to serve the Pass to Pass organization and all the participants.

LINDA LEE

Communication Director

Athol, ID I have a passion for the outdoors and for backpacking and am committed to the benefits of exercise in the aging and disease process. My family has a history of Parkinson’s Disease, so when I learned about PasstoPass, I was excited to become involved. It is so inspiring to hike alongside people who have such a zest for life, and a positive determination and strength to push through the challenges of Parkinson’s to continue to live a full and adventurous life.

I have been involved with PasstoPass since 2020. In that time,  I have observed firsthand the impact that the camaraderie of PD hikers, the goal of completing the hikes, the support and sharing amongst the hikers, and the laughter and fun have had on individuals living with PD. I look forward to continuing to share the love of the mountains, the love of adventure and the love of a challenge with others on the PasstoPass hikes this summer!

RICH DENMAN

Portland OR –Rich is a long-time hiker and mountaineer. He has explored many peaks and trails in OR, WA and a few in CA. The trio of Rich, his wife Julia, and brother-in-law Jerry Jones first hiked with PtP in 2020 and have been leading trips in Oregon ever since.

Rich’s PD diagnosis came in 2017. Symptoms steadily made walking and balance challenges serious. Rich thought the 2025 trip might be the last hike he would lead. At the same time, he was evaluated for DBS (direct brain stimulation) surgery. Rich underwent DBS in early 2025, and as a result, continues to be a hike leader enjoying improved gait, balance, and restored confidence.

Rich says he tries to “time the Oregon hikes to coincide with huckleberry ripening in the mountains.”  He joined the PtP board in 2024, and notes “I hope to contribute at the board level to furthering the adoption of systems and practices to support the growth and vision foreseen by our founder in service of those living with PD.

A.C. WOOLNOUGH

Sandpoint ID – A. C. began hiking with PasstoPass on our epic 2017 trip from Rainy Pass to the Suiattle river. After saying “never again” he continued to join us for several subsequent years and has been a huge supporter of PasstoPass.

A.C. has written many articles about PasstoPass listed on our Media page and he also includes chapters about his experience in his two books:  On Fire: Reflections on a Journey through life with Parkinson’s Disease in 2019 and Still on Fire: Further Reflections on a Journey ThroughLife with Parkinson’s Disease in 2023.

PAUL CROUTHAMEL

San Diego CA – A lifelong lover of the outdoors, Paul Crouthamel has joined the PasstoPass board following a 27-year career as a librarian in Escondido. Having lived with Parkinson’s for 15 years, he is a passionate advocate for the healing power of the wilderness and the resilience of the Parkinson’s community.
His backcountry resume is extensive, including climbing in the Canadian Rockies, the Cascades, and Tetons. A 14-day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon was one of the great moments in his life. These experiences formed his commitment to keeping the trails accessible for everyone through our llama-supported treks.
In addition to his board work, he volunteers with physical therapy students at the University of St. Augustine to share the real life experiences of a Person with Parkinson’s. He resides in San Diego County with his wife, Eveleen, where he keeps his spirit of adventure alive through family hikes that end with a dedicated donut tradition.

DEREK TORRY

Upland CA –Diagnosed in 2012 at age 40, I have Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease. Like many of my fellow hikers, PD has pushed me to be more active than before my diagnosis. I’m an optimist who is eager to do all I can to make a cure for PD a reality and encourage other Parkies as they live life with PD. I’m involved with several Parkinson’s organizations and believe we need to be proactive about combating the symptoms and finding a cure.  Exercise and backpacking have definitely helped me.

I always backpack with my son, Seth. This makes him a natural fit on the team this year as a support hiker. He and I regularly log 30+ nights and 250+ miles a year on the trail.  We enjoy trailer camping and fishing too. I’m married to an awesome wife and we have a beautiful daughter.

My trail name is The Hulk, not just because of my massive muscular body (haha), but because when I was an Assistant Scoutmaster in a troop that backpacked every month, I was usually wearing a green shirt on the trail.