Igor Vovkovinskiy, the tallest man in America, died at the age of 38 in Rochester, New York.
(KTTC) — Rochester, Minn. The tallest man in the United States, who lived in Rochester, has died. Igor Vovkovinskiy died at Mayo Clinic St. Marys on Friday.
Vovkovinskiy’s fifth grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary in 1992, said, “When I heard that, I was just very upset.” “And when I heard it, my thoughts immediately went to his mother, because she had given him so much of her life.”
At the age of seven, Vovkovinskiy moved to Rochester. He was already six feet tall at the time, in 1989. Vovkovinskiy, a native of Ukraine, relocated to Rochester for medical treatment at Mayo Clinic.
Laughland added, “This is a picture of Igor when he was in fifth grade.” “With the rest of the students in my class. And you wouldn’t know he was that tall just by looking at him in that photo. That’s how he felt in the classroom, too. “
According to his mother’s Facebook post, Svetlana Vovkovinska, her son died of heart problems.
His growth, which was sped rapidly by a problem with his pituitary gland as he grew older, never seemed to slow him down.
“As we came into the gym, we got a lot of glances,” Dave Kinneberg, a John Marshall instructor and coach, stated. “Of course, Igor drew the crowd’s attention. People he came into contact with, however, invariably embraced him. “
Vovkovinskiy was remembered for more than his height by those who knew him. While Laughland regarded Vovkovinskiy as “shy” as a child, his achievements later in life speak for themselves. Vovkovinskiy has performed in films, been interviewed on Dr. Oz’s show, and starred in a documentary about giantism. He would go on to be recognized as President Barack Obama’s “greatest supporter” later in life.
“He was a compassionate person who valued the little things that we take for granted. Whether it’s getting through a doorway or finding the perfect pair of shoes, “according to Kinneberg. “… We dubbed him a gentle giant, but he was also secretly passionate about things in our community, and he would volunteer and give back.”
“He would give me a hearty embrace every time I saw him. And, as you can see, he’s hugging me from above. He was utterly charming. And he was the same way around everyone he knew. Always ready to provide hugs and affection to everyone, “Laughland remarked.
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Friends and family are mourning his death, but the entire Rochester community is mourning as well.
Laughland remarked, “I’ve really seen what he’s done and I’ve been so proud of what he’s done.” Because, I have to tell you, they didn’t know how long he was going to live when I got him. I believe it is a credit to the doctors and Igor himself that he survived far longer than expected. And he got through number 38. “
It was a community that welcomed a six-foot-seven-year-old, and Vovkovinskiy returned the welcome.
“It was heartbreaking to learn that news. Igor held a really important place in all of our hearts as a JM community and, I believe, as a community in Rochester. ” According to Kinneberg.
On Saturday, Aug. 28, at 2 p.m., a memorial ceremony will take place at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home.
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Rochester community remembers gentle giant Igor Vovkovinskiy
