Longtime Stanislaus State professor found dead after hiking at Yosemite National Park
A 64-year-old hiker whose body was found in Yosemite National Park last week was a longtime professor at California State University, Stanislaus, in Turlock.
The body of James Youngblom was found at LeConte Falls, located on the high cascade of the Tuolumne River, on June 25, the National Park Service announced on social media. The park service did not announce where Youngblom was from, but a post on the Facebook page of Stanislaus State’s biological sciences department identified him as a professor.
Youngblom worked at the university for nearly 31 years and was department chair.
Investigators are looking into what led up to the death and for anyone who may have information about it. The notice described Youngblom as 5-feet-8 and 160 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. He was hiking alone from White Wolf up the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne to the Glen Aulin trailhead.
Scott Gediman, a Yosemite spokesman, said the national park was releasing only the information on the social media post. “The incident remains under investigation,” he said by email.
Anyone with information was asked to call 888-653-0009.
The College of Science at Stanislaus State expressed sorrow in a social media post. “It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Dr. James Youngblom. He will be missed by the faculty, staff and students of the department of biological sciences.”
David Evans, dean of the College of Science, said Youngblom was a hard-working professor and great leader for the biology department.
He was “one of the kindest people I’ve known,” Evans said in a statement. “He loved his job and worked incredibly hard. His focus was always on students. Our hearts go out to all of Jim’s friends and family at this difficult time.”
The university announced the professor’s passing in a message Thursday to the CSUS community.
Youngblom and his wife, Janey, a retired professor of genetics, came to Stanislaus State in 1990. Rising in the academic ranks, he was promoted to professor in 2008 and became the biology department chairman in 2017.
Youngblom planned to enter the early retirement program in the fall and move into a part-time chairmanship role.
As an outdoorsman, he enjoyed skiing, hiking and fishing. One of his passions was getting out in nature in places like Yosemite, the message said.
The university expressed condolences to his wife, the family, friends, colleagues and students. Funeral services are pending and details will be announced.
Comments on social media reflected Youngblom’s popularity as a professor.
Mara Dedini Mullins wrote: “My husband and I had him and his wife for multiple classes and my husband worked on research projects with him. We are in shock.”
Samantha House wrote that “he was an amazing, caring professor. He also ran a club for first generation college students in STEM to help ensure our success. Such a huge loss.”
This story was originally published July 1, 2021 at 11:56 AM.
