FRESNO, Calif. — A story that began with a desperate search has ended with a family reunion.
Seventy-year-old veteran Rondy Packard was found alive on the Fourth of July after spending nearly six days missing in the remote wilderness near Pine Flat Lake.
Packard left home on June 28 to go fishing but never returned.
His family, deputies, volunteers, and air crews searched the rugged area where he was last known to be.
Search crews eventually found Packard about 500 feet from his pickup truck approximately 20 miles northeast of Pine Flat Lake, just above Fence Meadow.
His son, Andrew Packard, says his father’s military background helped him survive the ordeal.
“His training definitely kicked in,” Andrew said.
Andrew, a U.S. Army veteran, flew in from Texas after learning his father was missing. He says knowing fellow veterans were involved in the search brought comfort during a difficult time.
The rescue was especially meaningful for the family because the air crew that helped bring Rondy to safety included two military veterans.
After nearly a week of uncertainty, Rondy’s wife, Valerie, says seeing her husband alive again was the moment she had been waiting for.
“When I see his face and you know, he’s trying to eat and he’s trying to talk and he’s saying I love you… and he’s trying to reach his arm up to hug me. You know, it kind of calmed me down a little bit,” Valerie said.
Valerie says Rondy remains in the ICU but is expected to recover. She also thanked the hospital staff for their care and support.
The couple is now looking ahead to another milestone, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
The family says they are grateful for the search crews, volunteers, and everyone who helped bring Rondy home.
FOX26 News reached out to the Fresno VA for comment. The agency referred the request to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ national office.
FOX26 asked what changes the agency is making to improve safety going forward for patients in similar cases.
The VA responded, “Without a privacy waiver or authorized power of attorney, VA will not provide a statement or address questions that speak to a Veteran’s specific case nor answer hypothetical questions based on a specific incident as it would violate protected information.”
The family has since completed the necessary paperwork and FOX26 has resubmitted the request. The station is waiting for a response.