Adolf Andreivich Pichaj was born in Ukraine on May 3, 1930 in the city of Kirovograd to Andrei Pavlovich and Nina Yakovlevna Pichaj; he was their first child. When Adolf was little, his father moved the family to Chelyabinsk to take a job as an engineer. Adolf spent his time in school and doing the things boys love to do, until tragedy struck when he was only 8 years old: the NKVD came and arrested his father. As was the case for many of our people, the family never saw him again. At this time, his mother took the children and fled back to Ukraine. As World War 2 engulfed the continent, they fled further west across Poland to Germany, where they narrowly escaped the encirclement of Berlin by the Soviet Army.
When the war ended just after Adolf’s 15th birthday, his family found themselves with many other refugees in Camp Ohio, in Burgdorf near Hannover in occupied Germany. Slavic missionaries from the west came there, and a great revival broke out. Many friendships were formed. Adolf repented, believed the Gospel, and was baptized at 16 years of age. In becoming a believer, he was prepared to give up the great idol that consumed his life at that time—playing soccer. But he later found that he could follow the Lord and play soccer in moderation, so he continued to do so. He also attended school as often as he could. Education of all kinds was a passion of his, and continued to be so until the end of his earthly life. He partially credited his ability to survive the difficult times before and after the war to his determination to always be learning. He also continued to develop his interests in photography, drawing and art. But as fellowshipping with other believers in the camps was of prime importance, Adolf also threw himself into the life of the church: organizing choirs and youth meetings, and publishing newspapers. These activities he continued to do for the rest of his life.
After four years in the camps, Adolf’s mother, Nina, received permission to emigrate to Brazil with her now four children—Adolf, Janna, Nelly and Paul. The Christians there welcomed the new immigrants with open arms. Adolf continued to be very active in their local church, singing tenor in the choir, and playing trumpet in the orchestra. The family purchased some land in the big city of Sao Paulo and built their own house there. Adolf learned to work as a machinist and tool maker, and eventually as a draftsman, a job that matched his artistic skills and temperament. After 9 years in Brazil, the family received permission to emigrate to the United States. They arrived in New York in 1958, and were met by their good friend from the camps, George Altuchow. He drove them to Philadelphia, where the family settled. They became members of the Russian Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church of Philadelphia. While singing there as a soloist, Adolf had some disagreements with the organist, Lillian Dobuzowski. After one year’s courtship they were married on February 14. 1959, and had two children, Mark Adolf and Linda Beth. Adolf moved his young family to Lansdale, Pennsylvania to be closer to his work as a draftsman for Stainless, Inc. His company sent him to school at Drexel Institute of Technology, where eleven years later he received his degree in civil engineering.
But that was not the end of Brother Adolf’s story of employment. He and his wife were always active in the ministry of the Russian-Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Union of churches. There Adolf served terms as president of the English Branch and was on the editorial board of the Evangelical Baptist Herald magazine. While active in their local church as a deacon, choir director, and interim pastor, Adolf completed Bible school at Calvary Baptist Church in Lansdale. When the church in Erie, Pennsylvania called him to be their pastor, he was ready. He explained to his wife that while he was still in the refugee camps, he felt that God was calling him to full-time ministry, but he did not pursue this call, due to family obligations. He told her that he did not feel right rejecting God’s call again. After praying about it, Lillian, who had previously not thought that she wanted to be a pastor’s wife, accepted this call as well. Rejoicing, they sold their home and moved to Erie in 1976, where they both threw themselves into the ministry, and encouraged their children to participate, as well. Just a year and a half later, the Lord called Lillian, who had a weak heart since childhood, home to be with him. In their great grief, the family clung to each other, sustained by the grace of God as channeled through the lives of many in the church and throughout the Union.
Two years later, God brought Raisa Antonovna Savastejko into Adolf’s life (providentially through an introduction by Mrs. Ahaev of the Erie church), and they were married in 1979. The next year, Bethany Baptist Church on 8th Street in Los Angeles called Brother Adolf to be their pastor. Also at Bethany were his friends from the camps in Germany, deacon George Altuchow, and Mira Muller. Brother Adolf again threw himself into the ministry of being a pastor, preaching and teaching, of course, but also organizing activities for the youth, even playing volleyball with them. (Given his athletic background, he enjoyed this very much!) He was also able to continue to pursue his love of education, earning a Master of Ministry degree from Talbot School of Theology, and later, an honorary Doctor of Ministry degree from the Kiev Theological Seminary. His library contains several thousand books in different languages. His expertise in computers came in handy when printing church programs and assisting brother Daniel Jasko in producing his hymnal.
After several years serving as pastor, pastoral duties were given to other men in the church. Adolf and Raisa, who still desired to serve in church, transferred their membership to the Hollywood church on Commonwealth. There, Brother Adolf worked with the youth and the music ministry, and organized a recorder choir for the children to teach them music. He had the opportunity to preach occasionally, under the leadership and encouragement of Pastors Nikolai Martinchuk and George Kuzichev. Raisa was active with the Women’s Committee.
After Brother Adolf had already retired, Bethany Church in Los Angeles called him to return as pastor. Even though he was near 80 years of age, Adolf said that if the Lord was calling him, he would never say “no,” and was willing to do whatever the Lord willed. And so he again was involved in leading the church and the services and preaching regularly, with the help of many good and true men of the church. The church picnics and dinners were great events, and the church gave him a wonderful 80th birthday celebration, which made him very happy to be so loved. Brother Adolf was also active in the Pacific Coast Slavic Baptist Association. He made himself available to work in any office where he was needed, and served as PCSBA secretary. He frequently used his photographic skills to document church events. He very much looked forward to the annual conferences, where he could meet with brothers and sisters from all over California and the world. Brother Adolf was always eager to travel with other pastors in his car to visit and encourage churches. Eventually, he wrote his own autobiography, Under the Protection of the Almighty, showing how God had been watching over him for many years and on four continents. It was kindly published by PCSBA in 2009.
However, age began to take its toll. Although Adolf and Raisa continued to be faithful attenders and sang in the choir, Adolf retired in 2015, leaving the church in the capable and faithful hands of Pastor Vasily Rogozyan. In the coming months, Adolf and Raisa traveled and enjoyed their family, including their two grandchildren, Tatiana and Svetlana. He continued to support the work of the church, which he loved with all his heart. He awoke early Christmas morning unable to get out of bed. Brother Adolf had had a massive stroke, which left the left half of his body paralyzed. His wife, Raisa, and daughter, Linda Beth, served as his caregivers for more than five years, both personally, and by coordinating care by others. Linda Beth even came to live with her parents for the last two years.
Brother Adolf frequently spoke with his family, friends and caregivers about past memories, the Scriptures and the Lord. Although his mind was not always clear, we had many sweet conversations about life and spiritual matters. He would often ask us to read the Bible to him (Psalm 90 was a favorite). He enjoyed singing the hymn “Trust and Obey” with us at the end of the day. The work of the church was always on his mind, and he would sometimes ask his son, “Do I have to preach this Sunday?” How he appreciated the prayers and visits of those who came to see him!
Although Brother Adolf was limited by his disability, he was still able to enjoy the freedom of short trips in his wheelchair. Being able to attend church services was a rare but very special privilege. His life was rich in relationships with his family, friends and caregivers, as we played games like Uno, talked, read and prayed together. But time and several hospitalizations began to weaken his body, especially his heart. After being on hospice care for less than a week, on the evening of Friday, February 19, his weary heart stopped beating. Our husband and father and grandfather, Adolf Andreivich Pichaj, went home to be with his Lord, healed of all his diseases. We the family gratefully thank all those who remembered our dear Dad and sent us their love and prayers in this time of grief. Yes, we miss him because he can no longer be with us here. But what a glorious day that will be when we meet our loved ones again, in the presence of the Lord Jesus!
