Vasili "Bill" Fiedorow

Vasili "Bill" Fiedorow, professor emeritus of modern languages at Knox College, died August 27, 2013, in Washington.

Fiedorow taught Russian and French at Knox for more than 30 years, serving eight years as chair of the modern languages department. He regularly led faculty and student trips -- 19 in all -- to the former Soviet Union and twice directed the Krasnodar Program in Russia for the Associated Colleges of the Midwest.

Fiedorow was born Sept. 9, 1939, in Suzemka, Russia. His family left Russia during World War II and he was educated through high school in Belgium. Then in 1956, his family was able to come to the U.S. with sponsorship by Tibbett's Methodist Church in West Seattle, Washington.

Fiedorow attended West Seattle High School and then received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Washington and his Ph.D. from Indiana University. He taught French and Russian at Knox from 1972 until he retired in 2005. He translated numerous works from both languages to English. In announcing Fiedorow's promotion to full professor in 1988, Knox College noted his work "reflecting all the attributes of a mature, thoughtful, sensitive scholar who is extremely well read in Russian, French and English literature."

He was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies, the American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages, and Phi Beta Kappa.

Fiedorow is survived by his wife, Cathryn; three children, Greg Fiedorow '89 and Liz Sjaastad '89 of Saint Paul, Minn. and Kate Willcutts '83 of Crozet, Va.; and six grandchildren, Alexandra, Amanda, Gannon, Katya, Elena and Elliot.

Memorial service arrangements are being made and will be announced at a later date. Donations can be made to Tibbett's Methodist Church, 3940 41st Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116.

Vasili "Bill" Fiedorow at Knox College