Robert V . Decareau Robert Vincent Decareau ( May 26 , 1926 - January 18 , 2009 ) was an American food scientist who was involved in the development of microwave applications in food technology , specifically technology that would lead to the development of the microwave oven . He also served in the United States Navy during World War II and in the United States Army during the Korean War . Decareau also was charter member of Phi Tau Sigma while pursuing his Ph . D . at the University of Massachusetts Amherst . Early life . Decareau was born in Cambridge , Massachusetts , but lived in the Arlington and Burlington areas . After graduating in 1943 , he enlisted in the US Navy , serving aboard the USS " Randolph " aircraft carrier as an anti - aircraft gunner . While aboard the " Randolph " , Decareau survived two kamikaze attacks in early 1945 . Return home and back to service . After World War II , Decareau returned to Massachusetts , enrolling at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst . There , he earned two degrees in chemistry with his Bachelor ' s degree in 1949 and his Master ' s Degree in 1951 . After earning his Masters degree , Decareau was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the US Army during the Korean War , though he was stationed in Linz , Austria . While in Austria , Decareau met his wife ; he would be married to the former Rosa Kaiser until his death . Back to school and Phi Tau Sigma . After his discharge from the US Army , Decareau returned to the University of Massachusetts Amherst to pursue his Ph . D in chemistry . Decareau also became a charter member of Phi Tau Sigma . Industrial career . After earning his Ph . D in 1955 , Decareau worked for Raytheon in Allston on microwave technology that would lead to the development of the microwave oven . Decareau ' s wife , Rosa , commented that a lot of work on the microwave oven was done at their home . Then at Lipton , he was involved in freeze drying . In the 1960s , Decareau moved to Palo Alto , California to work with Litton Industries . While at Litton , he developed microwave ovens that would be the foundation of commercial versions . Decareau moved back to Natick , Massachusetts later in his career to work in research and development at the United States Army Soldier Systems Center to develop food processing techniques for military and space exploration applications . His work would earn him Fellowship of the Institute of Food Technologists in 1994 . During his career , Decareau was one of the first people to refer to himself as a food scientist . Microwave consulting and support . Decareau authored nine books on microwave power , including " Microwave Processing and Engineering " and " Microwaves in the Food Processing Industry " . A founder of the International Microwave Power Institute ( IMPI ) , he also served as editor of the " Journal of Microwave Power and Electromagnetic Energy " . Decareau also received a fellowship from IMPI . His colleagues at Natick would refer to him as " Mr . Microwave " for his numerous research studies in the field . Personal life . Decareau and Rosa had four daughters , two sons , seven grandchildren , one great - grandson , a niece , and a nephew . He was involved in his church in Milford , New Hampshire and enjoyed classical music , chess , and the Boston Red Sox . Decareau died in Nashua , New Hampshire of Alzheimers after fighting the disease for 17 years . The memorial service was held on January 22 , 2009 in Milford .