M.R. Sapin (1925–2015) was a professor at I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, honorary academician of Russian academy of medical sciences (1988), and an outstanding representative of the Moscow anatomical school of the middle of XX – early XXI century. From the very beginning of his medical training, Mikhail Romanovich got interested in anatomy, especially in angiology and lymphology, and later concentrated on its studying. The author of more than 30 text books and guidelines for schools, universities, and colleges, Mikhail Romanovich was the doctoral and thesis advisor of 51 Ph.D. and approximately 70 MD dissertations. M.R. Sapin made a significant contribution to the development of anatomical education providing the departments with a various range of dry and wet specimens. His stunning and effective work as a tutor was highly appreciated by his students and colleagues, Russian and foreign anatomists. M.R. Sapin was the leader of the Laboratory of Functional Anatomy since 1972, president of the International Association of Morphologists (1992–2006), chairman of the expert commission of Higher Attestation Commission (1959–1994), etc. A man of a great willpower, M.R. Sapin faced a lot of obstacles in his life and research work but overcame that all successfully. The article presents the most important facts of anatomist’s career and lifetime.