The leadership, staff, and volunteers of Breakthrough T1D mourn the tragic, sudden loss of five T1D Champions on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
That night, five people who were pillars of the Breakthrough T1D Ride community died in a tragic, single-car accident.
The group included two married couples and one single individual—all very close friends and veteran Breakthrough T1D Ride participants.
All five people were inside the vehicle at the time of the accident—no one was riding a bicycle at the time.
The greatest group of people you wish you didn’t need to know
Understandably, the tragedy sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Ride community, as well as the entire Breakthrough T1D organization.
Chris Eaton, a lead volunteer partner of Breakthrough T1D Ride and the Ride Advisory Council, knew all five people well.
“It’s said, ‘Ride is the greatest group of people you wish you didn’t need to know.’ Our friends embodied that feeling of inclusion, hope, and a steadfast focus on getting to a cure,” said Chris. “They will be sorely missed by their family, friends, and the Ride community.”
Jeff and Michelle Bauer
Jeff and Michelle Bauer were highly involved in Breakthrough T1D Ride—especially Michelle.
“The Breakthrough T1D Ride program is a family, and Michelle exemplified this day in and day out,” said Anthony Geraci, National Director, Ride & Endurance.”
Michelle had been a dedicated T1D advocate since her son, Jesse Alswager, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2000 at the age of 3. Tragically and unexpectedly, Jesse passed away at the age of 13 on February 3, 2010.
After Jesse passed away, Michelle continued to advocate, educate, and push the envelope in his name. In honor of Jesse, the date he died—and generally all people who have passed away from T1D—Mile 23 of each Breakthrough T1D Ride is ridden in silence.
“Whether it was riding thousands of miles in memory of her late son Jesse, authoring a book to help grieving families, bringing her husband Jeff Bauer into the Ride family, to joining the Ride Advisory Council, Michelle was all in,” added Anthony.
In her spare time, Michelle had numerous other T1D-focused projects, including “Jesse Was Here,” which encompassed her work with other families around the world who had lost loved ones to T1D.
Jeff proposed to Michelle in 2018 at Mile 23 of a Breakthrough T1D Ride.
The couple had a lake house in Crandon, Wisconsin, and spent a lot of time there. They were avid boaters.
Jeff and Michelle are survived by their blended family of five children—Alexander Bauer, Claudia Bauer, Samantha Alswager, Joseph Alswager and Sara Alswager—all of whom are now adults.
Learn more about Jeff and Michelle and how to honor their lives.
“When I mentioned to Michelle off the cuff that I was thinking about completing my first Ironman, she was the first to offer up being my coach and cheerleader. The last text message I got from Michelle was on Wednesday of last week simply saying ‘Did you do it yet??’ That’s how I’ll remember Michelle. Always pushing people to be their best. Always pushing herself to be her best.”
Anthony Geraci
National Director, Breakthrough T1D Ride & Endurance
Josh and Tammy Stahl
Josh and Tammy Stahl became close friends with the Bauers through the Ride program. They rode together most recently in La Crosse last August.
Josh started riding in 2011 for his and Tammy’s son, Gavin (now 17 years old) who lives with T1D. Josh had competed in 13 rides including, Lake Tahoe, La Crosse, and Death Valley.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to talk to Josh and Tammy at rides for over a decade,” said Dan Woolf, Executive Director of Breakthrough T1D’s Wisconsin Chapter who has long been involved with Ride. “Most recently in La Crosse, where we traded stories of our spirit jerseys, kids, and what makes the Ride program special, which are the friends you make along the way.”
Josh and Tammy are survived by their sons Gavin Stahl and Blake Stahl.
Learn more about Josh and Tammy and how to honor their lives.
“The Stahls were the perfect example of that incredible spirit.They became close friends with so many people from all over the country while making such a difference for our Ride community, which is truly inspiring to me. It’s something that I’ll never forget and a testament to what wonderful people they were.”
Dan Woolf
Executive Director, Breakthrough T1D Wisconsin Chapter
Barry Sievers
Barry’s first Ride was 10 years ago. He had completed five rides including La Crosse, Nashville, and Loveland.
While he had no direct T1D connection, he was always willing to help with a smile. He hosted training rides at his house and even helped transport bikes with his trailer.
“Barry’s infectious smile and boundless energy embodied our Team Wisconsin spirit,” wrote Joe Brady and Scott Hagen in a statement they issued together.
Joe lives with T1D and is a veteran Ride coach. Scott is Barry’s best friend who recruited him for his first ride a decade ago.
Barry was the Senior Financial Manager for the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research at the University of Wisconsin—Madison.
Barry is survived by his adult son, David T. Sievers, and two school-age daughters, Emma Sievers and Addison Sievers.
Learn more about Barry and how to honor his life.
“Whether opening his home for summer training rides, spinning tales on the team bus to Nashville, or cheering on the last rider at the Loveland finish line, Barry brought joy and camaraderie to every moment. Always ready with a solution to any bike issue, his ‘can do’ attitude inspired us all to push harder, fundraise better, and pedal faster toward our goals. Barry’s good-natured warmth and easy laughter will forever be cherished and missed.”
Statement from Joe Brady and Scott Hagen
Against many headwinds
“Greg Lemond, winner of the Tour de France, once said about cycling: ‘It doesn’t get easier, you just go faster,’” said Chris Eaton.
“Against many headwinds, this group of friends led a community that embodies the imperative that we can, and will, cure T1D despite the challenges. They will be missed.”
