Dr. Lawrence Frederick Baum

Dr. Lawrence Frederick Baum, of Camano Island, WA, a distinguished scholar and educator in his field, passed away peacefully in his sleep in Tucson, AZ beside his beloved Norwegian Elkhound Elg on December 2, 2025 at the age of 87.

Dr. Baum spent much of his life in the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of his community through education and service. He was a curious, brilliant and complex person and will be missed by the people who knew him.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Lawrence moved to Seattle with his family at an early age. As a teen, he became very involved in boat building; first a canoe and eventually a catamaran. Cycling, sailing and mountain climbing (including all major Pacific Northwest peaks), along with Boy Scout activities, were his passion for years, and he was an active cyclist up to his last day.

After graduating from Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Lawrence pursued an extensive academic journey in the field of geology first earning a Bachelor’s at Stanford University, a Master’s from University of Washington, and finally a PhD from The University of Idaho. Following his academic achievements, Lawrence continued his lifelong role as an educator as a geology professor at the University of Bahia in Salvador, Brazil and again at the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID.

Over time, he moved with his family back to Kirkland, WA, and eventually landed on Camano Island, WA. Over the years he taught community college rock-hounding classes, was a certified US Sailing Association instructor and was a cycling coach and mentor to many. Lawrence also had an entrepreneurial spirit that started with opening the Velo Sport bicycle shop in Moscow while working on his doctorate, and later Baum & Assoc., a mining consulting practice in Kirkland. After moving to Camano and opening a small custom sailboat manufacturing shop, he later earned a 50-ton Captain license to start his Camano Sail & Power charter business and his US Sailing Association sailing school.

Lawrence is survived by his sister Barbara Baum, his children Heidi Monroe and Andrew (Carrie) Baum, grandsons Sterling (Jessica) and Adrian (Sarah) Monroe and Nathaniel Read, as well as great-grandson Cassian Monroe. 

The family will have a private memorial to celebrate Dr. Baum’s final wishes for a maritime spreading of ashes in Puget Sound. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made in Lawrence’s memory to the charitable organization of your choosing. The family thanks you for your support and asks that you share this tribute with anyone who was touched by Lawrence’s life.