YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. — The body of a longtime Northern California professor was found last week in Yosemite National Park, and park officials are asking anyone who may have seen him there to call investigators.
James Youngblom, 64, had been hiking alone. His body was found on June 25, the National Park Service said in a statement Wednesday.
The statement did not disclose details on how Youngblom died. Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Deputy Nico Sandelin said an autopsy has not yet been completed. Park spokesman Scott Gediman provided no other information, citing an ongoing investigation.
Anyone who may have seen Youngblom in the area of White Wolf, Pate Valley or the Grand Canyon of The Tuolumne between June 22 and June 25 should contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch, the statement said. The tip line is 888-653-0009.
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Youngblom taught biological sciences at California State University Stanislaus for 31 years. He was an avid outdoorsman and experienced backpacker who took at least one solo backpacking trip each year, said David Evans, the university’s dean of the College of Science.
Youngblom was the chair of the Department of Biological Services. His expertise was on genetics and DNA technology, but his focus was on the students, Evans said.
“He was passionate about getting…
