Igor Spassky was a unique person who combined the qualities of a scientist, a practitioner and a talented leader. He played a very important role in preserving the personnel of the Rubin Central Design Bureau of Medical Sciences during the difficult years for Russian science and defense industry. This was stated to journalists by Vladimir Zhilishch, advisor to the chief designer, former chief designer of electric power and electronic weapons of the Rubin Central Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering. He worked with Igor Spassky for 54 years.
“I came here as a young specialist, when he was already the chief engineer. Since then, we have worked very closely, especially after I became a mature specialist, on many projects,” said Vladimir Zhilishch.
“He is an excellent leader, organizer and mentor. His character traits allowed him to create and gather a team around him, charge it with a vector and the team worked like a Swiss watch,” Zhilishch said.
At the same time, it was quite difficult to achieve recognition from Spassky himself. According to the specialist, he forgave mistakes, but for a while he lost absolute confidence in the person who made them. And the person who made the mistake had to spend a lot of time and effort to regain Spassky’s trust.
Vladimir Zhilishch stressed that in the 1990s Spassky did everything possible to preserve Rubin and his team, to give them the opportunity to devote themselves to the main profile of work – the creation of submarines.
A greenhouse was set up in one of the buildings of the Central Clinical Hospital, from which vegetables were fed to the company’s canteen. Under Rubin’s auspices, a business center, a hotel and an aquarium beloved by St. Petersburg residents were created and are successfully operating. The Central Clinical Hospital participated in the construction of housing, and many needy workers received apartments.
“The knowledge and guidance he gave us continue to flourish and will continue to do so for many years to come. Rubin is a company, a style of work, he is known everywhere and is treated with great respect and trust,” said Vladimir Zhilishch.
Let us recall that today in St. Petersburg the last farewell is being said to the former director of the Rubin Central Clinical Hospital, Igor Dmitrievich Spassky, who died on September 3, 2024 at the age of 98.
