Rev. Malof, Author, Dies at 70

The Rev. Basil A. Malof, Baptist minister and author, died Thursday at the age of 70 in Herrick Memorial Hospital, Berkeley.

The Rev. Mr. Malof was born Basil A. Fetler in Riga, Latvia. He wrote under the name of Malof and had his name changed legally.

When a student he was exiled to Siberia for religious activities. Released, he attended Spurgeon College, a Baptist seminary in London.

From 1929 to 1939 he headed a large church in Riga. In the latter year he came to the United States and founded the Russian Bible Society in Washington, D. C. He was editor of “Russia Calling,” the society’s paper.

In addition to other books he was author of “Sentenced to Siberia,” an autobiography.

The Rev. Mr. Malof moved to Berkeley six months ago.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of 2442 Piedmont avenue, Berkeley, and 13 children: Daniel Fetler, New York City; Timothy Fetler, Fullerton; Lydia Hartsock, Silver Spring, Md.; Mary Miller, Mundelein, Ill.; Paul Fetler, Minneapolis; Philip Fetler, Riverside; John Fetler, Colorado Springs; Elizabeth Bregenzer, Arlington, Va.; Andrew Fetler, Chicago; David Fetler, Rochester, N.Y.; Peter Malof, Arlington, Va.; James Fetler, Sausalito; and Joseph Malof, Venice, Los Angeles county.

Funeral services were pending last night.

San Francisco Chronicle, 17 August 1957, Page 12, column 2.