Reno editor Lundahl, 57, dies; remembered as upbeat leader

RENO -- Mark Lundahl, a veteran newsman and editor at the Reno Gazette-Journal, has died after a brief illness. He was 57.

Lundahl, who died Tuesday, was remembered for his calm presence in the newsroom and his passion for family, music and history.

Lundahl joined the Gazette-Journal as a reporter in March 1987. He held numerous positions over the next 23 years, most recently as managing editor.

"Mark was an historian, a wordsmith and a coach," said Ted Power, Gazette-Journal president and publisher. "He was the conscience and spirit of the newsroom. But mostly he was a friend with a smile and laugh to make everyone feel at ease and at home."

Former Gazette-Journal editor Ward Bushee, now editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, promoted Lundahl to city editor in 1994.

"He was a respected leader in the newsroom who cared deeply about his reporters getting to the truth on issues and people they covered," Bushee said. "Mark's passing leaves a void in all of us who worked closely with him."

Born Nov. 16, 1953, in Rockford, Ill., Lundahl graduated from California's Upland High School in 1971 and the University of Redlands in 1975. Before joining the Reno Gazette-Journal, he spent 11 years as a staff writer with the San Bernardino Sun in California.

Brian Rosenthal, a Northwestern University student, lived with the Lundahl family while working as an intern at the paper in 2009.

"He always had an encouraging word to say or a joke about what was going on," Rosenthal said. "He was just a very upbeat, positive, encouraging presence for me. Beyond that, he was a great friend."

He is survived by Wilma Lundahl, his wife of 32 years, and two sons.