Lyn Landauer, one of Lake Tahoe’s noted historians, died Feb. 21 in Monterey. She was 86.

Lyn was president of the Lake Tahoe Historical Society and wrote many of the articles for the monthly newsletter. She authored “The Mountain Sea, A History of Lake Tahoe”.

Born Lyndall Deane Baker on Sept. 24, 1926, in Oakland, she married Donald Landauer in 1948. Both were teachers, writers, avid sailors, folk dancers, and travelers. They lived in Pasadena for 35 years, where they raised four sons.

Lyn received her doctorate in history from UCLA in 1980. She taught history in Los Angeles secondary schools, and later was a professor of history at Los Angeles City College, Pierce College and Lake Tahoe Community College.

Lyn Landauer

She and Don retired to Lake Tahoe in 1987 and later split their time between Lake Tahoe and Kauai.

Lyn and Don wrote a book about the history of Hawaii and the U.S. Navy called “Pearl”. She also wrote many non-fiction and fiction books, magazine and newspaper articles, and was a popular lecturer on a range of historical topics.

After Don died in 2006, Lyn moved to Monterey. Although challenged by physical ailments in recent years, Lyn’s passion for writing, reading, and teaching never wavered. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family.

Lyn was preceded in death by her son, Michael, in 2003 and husband, Don, in 2006.

She is survived by sons Christopher, Timothy and Douglas; daughters-in-law Deborah, JorJa, Mary Beth, and Kirstie; grandchildren Matthew, Robert, Nikolas, Shaughn, Kellie, and Benjamin; great-grandson Jordan; sister Meredith Wylie; nieces and a nephew.

Services will be private.

Donations in her honor may be made to the League to Save Lake Tahoe.