21.08.2007 // Information-Analytical Center of Kursk NPP

On Aug 25 2007 we would congratulate Vladimir Ivanovich Gusarov on his 70th birthday

But fate ruled otherwise. He died two years ago — quite unexpectedly: even though everybody perfectly understood that people with sick heart almost always die unexpectedly, the death of Mr. Gusarov was a horrible surprise not only for his family and friends but also for his colleagues and just people that knew him. Everybody mourned his death: it was a great pain to lose such an outstanding person, such a professional.

22 of the 68 years of his life were devoted to Kursk Nuclear Power Plant and Kurchatov. In 1975 he was employed with the plant as shift manager. In 1984–1997 he was the director of Kursk NPP.

His colleagues remember him as an ardent devotee and efficient manager. Under his directorship, the plant launched a system of phased turbine repair, a technology that makes repair much quicker. He selected his executives himself – he had a knack for it. He cared for each employee and was always ready to help.

His former colleague, the advisor of the director of Kursk NPP Nikolay Bukreyev says:

— I always admired his high professionalism, his responsibility, diligence and humanity. He never spared himself, everything he did he did with the whole of his heart.

The personal driver of Mr. Gusarov, Viktor Tarasov says that he was very sociable and friendly and never shunned ordinary people. He was always ready to help and to give an ear. “Don’t worry, we will help you” – that’s what he would say. And he always kept his promise. Many of our employees still remember his care and attention.

The first years of his directorship coincided with the crisis in the nuclear power industry: Chernobyl accident, economic collapse, arrears of wages. But Mr. Gusarov did not lose heart and gave one to his employees. He regularly met with them, explained the situation, encouraged them to go on. He actively fought with the “greens” for the interests of the nuclear power industry. He strongly believed in nuclear energy and tried to make others believe. It was due to his energy and initiative that Kursk NPP survived the crisis and preserved its human and industrial potential.

Yuri Slepokon has continued the cause of his outstanding predecessor. Today, Kursk NPP is a successful company cooperating for the benefit of the whole Central Chernozemye region. The company is constantly improving its efficiency and enhancing its safety. As a result, the manufacturing and social facilities and the population of Kurchatov, Kursk and other regions of Central Russia enjoy stable power supply. 

And all this due to the energy of Mr. Gusarov.

… That’s our destiny: sooner or later we all die. But we can leave good memories – everything depends on us and our deeds. Mr. Gusarov was a good person and we will always remember him.

                                                                                                                                                         Lubov Vasilenko