Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum

Jeffrey Meldrum, a longtime Idaho State University professor known for his research on primate locomotion and his public-facing work on Bigfoot, died in September after a brief battle with brain cancer. He was 67.

A pillar of ISU's Department of Biological Sciences since 1993, Dr. Meldrum taught human anatomy and courses in evolution and primatology. Beyond campus, he became one of the country's most recognized voices on the Bigfoot question. He assembled a large collection of footprint casts, appeared in documentaries and interviews, and engaged the public with measured, accessible explanations of evidence and method.

His scholarship focused on foot morphology and the evolution of bipedal locomotion. He co-edited "From Biped to Strider: The Emergence of Modern Human Walking, Running, and Resource Transport" and authored "Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science," bringing scientific framing to a topic more often treated as folklore.

Born May 24, 1958, Dr. Meldrum earned his B.S. and M.S. from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. in anatomical sciences from Stony Brook University in 1989. He completed postdoctoral work at Duke University before joining ISU.

At Idaho State, he also served as editor-in-chief of "Relict Hominoid Inquiry," a scholarly journal hosted by the university. His steady editorial hand encouraged careful documentation and open debate on a controversial subject.

By Legacy News Staff

(Image: Don Jeffrey Meldrum via Facebook)