Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum Death – Don Jeffrey “Jeff” Meldrum passed away peacefully after a brief but courageous battle with brain cancer. He was 67 years old. Meldrum was a distinguished professor, an accomplished researcher, and a public figure whose career combined rigorous scientific inquiry with an openness to exploring unconventional questions about human evolution and cryptozoology.
Dr. Meldrum served as a Full Professor of Anatomy and Anthropology in the Department of Biological Sciences at Idaho State University. He also held adjunct positions in the Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy and the Department of Anthropology, reflecting the breadth of his expertise in human and primate anatomy.
A graduate of Brigham Young University, he earned both his B.S. (1982) and M.S. (1984) in zoology with a specialization in vertebrate locomotion. He went on to complete a Ph.D. in anatomical sciences at Stony Brook University in 1989 under the mentorship of renowned biological anthropologist John G. Fleagle. Following his doctoral studies, he held a postdoctoral position at Duke University Medical Center (1989–1991) and briefly worked at Northwestern University before joining the faculty at Idaho State University in 1993, where he would remain until his passing.
Throughout his academic career, Dr. Meldrum published numerous papers on vertebrate evolutionary morphology, primate foot structure, and the emergence of bipedal locomotion in early humans. He co-edited several scholarly works, including From Biped to Strider: The Emergence of Modern Human Walking, which has been widely cited in anthropological research.
Meldrum was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and often engaged with questions at the intersection of science and faith. He co-authored the book Who Are the Children of Lehi? with Trent D. Stephens, in which they examined issues of genetics and the Book of Mormon.
Beyond academia, Dr. Meldrum became a well-known figure for his research and public commentary on cryptozoology, specifically the Bigfoot phenomenon. His 2006 book Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science attracted significant attention, sparking both fascination and controversy. While some anthropologists criticized the book as lacking in scientific rigor, it brought renewed public interest in Bigfoot research and cemented Meldrum as one of the most recognized voices in the field.
He also participated in international conferences, including a 2011 Siberian expedition investigating reports of the “Siberian Snowman.” Although he later acknowledged that evidence from the trip was most likely fabricated, his willingness to investigate claims firsthand reflected his dedication to exploring the unknown.
Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum’s career embodied a rare balance between academic precision and a willingness to engage with the mysteries that capture human imagination. He will be remembered as a gifted teacher, a respected scientist, and a man unafraid to challenge conventional boundaries in pursuit of knowledge.
He is survived by family, colleagues, students, and a wide community of admirers who valued his scholarship, curiosity, and integrity. Funeral arrangements and memorial services will be announced by his family in the coming days.