When Steve and Judy Meyer were asked to be the grand marshals of Coeur d'Alene's Fourth of July parade Saturday, they were not exactly thrilled. 

In fact, they nearly declined. 

"I don't really want to do this," Steve said of his initial reaction, explaining that they "live to stay in the background."

Judy deflected attention, too.

"It's not us. Nothing could happen without everybody else pitching in," she said. "If we could just put up a sign, 'Thank you, everybody, who helped us,' that would feel better."  

Nonetheless, after consideration, they agreed to lead the celebration as it goes along Sherman Avenue before a crowd expected to be more than 25,000.

"If this helps the community, we're happy to do it," Judy said. 

The Meyers' commitment and dedication goes back decades to when they arrived in a town whose economy hinged on logging, mining and abundant natural resources. 

"Part of what makes this place so nice is how pretty it is," Steve said. "I'm fond of looking at Idaho as a place that only exists because of natural resources." 

Both enjoy working with and uniting people toward common goals. 

"So many good folks," Judy said. "Now if we could just help the community come together a bit more." 

"Sometimes it just takes a little nudge to get people to look collectively about how we work on an issue that's important to us," Steve added. 

The Meyers have been married 61 years. They met in 1962 at Many Glacier Lodge in Glacier National Park in Montana. She was a maid in the hotel and he was a boat pilot who guided guests across Swiftcurrent Lake. 

They came from different worlds. Judy was from the East Coast. Steve grew up in Coeur d'Alene. 

"I wanted to come West because I liked the spirit of the West," Judy said.

They didn't hit it off right away. 

Steve, in need of help one day from a fellow worker, approached a tall, dark-haired woman and asked if she could show him how to iron his shirt. Her response was something like, "Get lost," but they later connected. 

"Before the summer was over, I was happy to iron his shirt," Judy said, smiling. "The magic for me was we talked. We communicated." 

They later married and moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1969 to join a small local company named Clare Pendar. They quickly began to engage in the community.  

Judy led the family focus on education. She tackled early learning to advocate for kindergartens, expanded libraries and served on the North Idaho College board of trustees and the State Board of Education. 

In 1975, Judy and Steve co-founded Parkwood Business Properties, a commercial real estate development company. In 1985, Charlie Nipp joined the company. The company’s portfolio is 1.7 million square feet of commercial property in the region — health care, office, retail, light industrial, self-storage.  

Judy and Steve have long believed the most powerful lever for young people is a good education and advocated for it at every turn. 

"Those without it struggle," Steve said. 

Both have histories of volunteering and have earned numerous honors.

Judy helped start Hospice of North Idaho, is co-founder of Idaho Business for Education and received the Idaho Smart Women, Smart Money Hall of Fame award. She has been recognized for board service at Blue Cross of Idaho, Coeur d'Alene Chamber, Idaho Public Television and the Idaho State Historical Society. 

"Judy Meyer’s impact on Coeur d’Alene is the kind that quietly reshapes a community," according to a prepared statement. "She leads with steadiness, gives with purpose, and shows up in ways that make everyone around her stronger. Her legacy lives in the institutions she’s supported, the people she’s lifted, and the example she’s set — a reminder that real leadership is generous, consistent, and rooted in service." 

Steve is a "serial entrepreneur" who likes to mentor small companies and coach their leaders. 

He co-founded Advanced Input Devices in 1979, was part of the founders group of Mountain West Bank and a member of the board and helped lead Intermax Networks of Coeur d'Alene. 

Steve has been on the NIC Foundation board for over 40 years and served as chairman of the Governor's Economic Advisory Council. He is chairman of the Hayden Lake Watershed Improvement District and is on the Hayden Urban Renewal board of directors. 

"Steve Meyer is widely regarded as one of North Idaho's most impactful entrepreneurs and philanthropists, with a legacy spanning real estate, technology, banking, and community service over more than five decades," a statement read.

Both were inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame in 2016. 

Their son, Chris, said his parents are generous in many ways and prefer to remain behind the scenes.

"There is an element of humility," he said. "They don't do this for the recognition."

Judy said they feel fortunate to be able to share their time and energy. 

"It's satisfying. It's enriching. People need to be valued," she said. “It’s people that make the difference."

Steve and Judy believe they can help the community be as united as it once was.

Judy recites a saying that guides her: "From you I receive. To you I give. Together we share. By this we live." 

"By God we're going to live long enough to get them back to holding hands again," Judy said.

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