A 92-year-old Princeville man is walking for a cause, and a Galesburg woman is along for the ride/walk.
Dean Troutman is completing his fifth journey to raise money for various causes, including St. Jude Children’s Hospital. He’s doing so this year by walking more than 350 miles across the Midwest. And joining him on part of his trek this spring and summer is Kathy Woodward of Galesburg.
Troutman’s journey started in 2014 when he walked 700 miles around Illinois to raise money for Troutman Park in Princeville, which was established in memory of his late wife Dorothy (Peggy) Troutman. Through his efforts, Troutman raised $70,000 to install a playground.
A year later, Troutman felt like he had more walking to do, and he raised $10,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by walking 500 miles from Princeville to Memphis.
Troutman resumed his walking/fundraising efforts in 2021 and raised $70,500 more for St. Jude by walking from Illinois through 15 states and back.
Woodward, 72, discovered Troutman’s efforts on Facebook and said she was so inspired she joined him on his walks.
“I hated seeing pictures on Facebook of Dean walking alone,” Woodward said. “I wanted to keep him company and he let me do that. Now he is stuck with me!”
The 92-year-old Troutman walks between 5 and 10 miles daily. He will have walked 350 miles round trip from when his journey started May 21 and ends Tuesday, July 4.
Woodward walked 36 miles with Troutman from May 31 through June 4, and she resumed walking with him June 23 and will accompany him until July 4. Her goal is to have walked 100-plus miles of his 350-mile journey.
Kathy’s husband Gene Woodward transports to her meet up with Troutman and serves as a lead vehicle on parts of the journey.
“Dean inspires me every day,” Woodward said. “His heart is always giving for the kids (of St. Jude). His desire to stay active, mobile, and to continue contributing to society keeps him going. He is very determined. I just try to keep up with him!”
‘A crazy old man that likes to walk’
Troutman believes he has walked over 2,000 miles during his five treks.
Troutman’s goal for this walk is $20,000. His online donations to date are $13,850.
“The more people that know about Dean the better,” Woodward said. “He is one man with a big heart for the kids. He calls himself ‘a crazy old man that likes to walk.’”
Pledges can be made to St. Jude through Troutman’s fundraising page at troutmanstrek@pbworks.com.
Donations can also be mailed to:
St. Jude Event – Dean Troutman Walks for St. Jude
Attn: Alex Fountain
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, TN 38101-9795.
You can follow his journey on Facebook at www.facebook.com/troutmanstrek3.
