The law of man: Alexey Pimanov was sent on his last journey

A man of honor and dignity, a true patriot, a noble knight: this is how colleagues, friends and fans characterized Alexey Pimanov, seeing off the famous journalist, director, media manager and TV presenter on his last journey. He died on April 23 at the age of 64. And on the 27th, a memorial service was held in the Great Funeral Hall of the Troekurovsky Cemetery. Despite the bad weather in Moscow, many people came to say goodbye to the idol: among them — the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Olga Lyubimova, deputy and prominent hockey player Vyacheslav Fetisov, representatives of the Investigative Committee and the Ministry of Defense, TV presenters, actors and, of course, ordinary connoisseurs of Pimanov's talent. The details are in the Izvestia report.

"Lyosha said, 'Follow one rule: be decent.'"

Alexey Pimanov's death became known on Thursday, April 23. He left unexpectedly, in the midst of his creative activity at the age of 65. My heart couldn't stand it. Pimanov fought for justice all his life and did not spare himself in this struggle. But the fact that his efforts were not in vain and left behind a great memory could be seen at the farewell ceremony. The hall, designed for five hundred people, could hardly accommodate everyone who wanted to pay their last respects to the director and TV presenter.

Since the morning, breaking through the blizzard and slush, people carried bouquets to the Troekurovskoye cemetery. Leonid Yakubovich, Elena Malysheva, Igor Ugolnikov, Edgard Zapashny, Igor Butman, Alexander Marshal, Konstantin Ernst and many others could not help but say goodbye to their friend and colleague.

— A lot of people here can say that a piece of their heart was torn out. There are no words, it's such a loss! Leonid Yakubovich said ruefully during the memorial service.

For many, Pimanov was an example of firmness of character and integrity.

— Lyosha was the only person who told me, "Follow one rule: be decent." We've been going through life together since 1997. We started the "Living Healthy" program together, and it really was like that with him. Dignity, incredible honesty. Many people don't have these qualities, but he did," Elena Malysheva shared her memories.

Here are the main milestones of his journey. He graduated from the Moscow Institute of Communications (now the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics) with a degree in radio communications and broadcasting engineering. He served in the army at the Baikonur cosmodrome. In his final years at the university, he began working at Ostankino, first in technical positions, and then in the directorate of socio—political programs of Central Television, where he hosted the program "Steps". In 1996, Pimanov took over the post of general director of Ostankino and the position of host of the program "Man and the Law", with which most viewers associate him to this day.

— This is a man from my childhood. "Man and the Law" is not at all the kind of program that children watch, but I liked it. This unhurried manner of speech, the emphasis on words, pauses on significant moments — all this did not allow me to look up from the screen. There was real magic going on, and it seemed to me that it was the presenter who restored justice, punished the villains, and put them in prison. He was a noble knight. Surprisingly, nothing has changed over the decades," Pimanov's fan, who came to the farewell ceremony, shared with Izvestia.

An example of an honest journalist

On this day, there was a lot of talk about justice, which Pimanov has always been a defender of.

— "Man and the Law" is what gave hope to proper journalism to win the love and respect of people in our country. People came to him for support. And he got down to business and brought them to the result. An example of an honest journalist. And, of course, cinematography is what he always wanted to do and came to it over time. He had a lot of plans related to the history of our country. He always respected the generation of people who created our country," said Vyacheslav Fetisov, a deputy and hockey player, in an interview with Izvestia.

Pimanov really did not limit himself to working in the frame. Since the early 2000s, he has been closely involved in the production of TV series, combining the functions of director, producer and screenwriter. He led the Russian Cinema project, founded his own TV company, ODA-Film, and launched many successful projects. For the National Media Group, he was a close friend and reliable partner, working with the holding's specialists on such popular TV series as "SMERSH", "Rooks", "Operation Neman", "Evil".

In 2013, Alexey Pimanov became president of the Krasnaya Zvezda media holding company of the Ministry of Defense. Colleagues from the department also came to say goodbye to him.

— He saw the goal and was able to set people up to achieve goals. Like a real military man, he took care of his subordinates — I know this firsthand. He was a true patriot and left as a soldier — from a combat post to heaven," said the official representative of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov.

"Pimanov is equal to justice"

Pimanov's work was also highly appreciated by the Investigative Committee. Svetlana Petrenko, an official representative of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, said that law enforcement officers often collaborated with Pimanov and his projects. With the participation of the IC staff, many investigations of the "Man and the Law" program were conducted, she explained.

— Generally, Pimanov is equal to justice. That's what connected us: the Investigative Committee, the investigators, and the journalists. It's a great loss, it's a pity. He left very early," Petrenko emphasized.

But no matter how high Pimanov's professionalism, creative and organizational achievements were, many people on this sad day remembered what kind of person he was. Alexei's widow, actress Olga Pogodina, also spoke about this at the farewell ceremony.

— I couldn't even imagine in my nightmares that it would turn out like this.… I really hope that I can raise our daughter in a way that you like. She loves you now, and you love her. For me, you will never go anywhere, my beloved and only loved one! Olga Pogodina addressed her husband. And she thanked him for every moment they were together.

After the funeral service, Alexey Pimanov's coffin was carried out of the farewell hall to prolonged applause from colleagues and fans. He was buried at the Troekurovsky cemetery.