Robert V. Decareau

Robert (Bob) Decareau PhD, died on January 18, 2009 in Nashua, NH. Robert Vincent Decareau was born on May 26, 1926 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the first-born child of Amos Decareau and Mabel (LaRue) Decareau. Robert was educated in and lived in Arlington and Burlington, Massachusetts. Upon graduation from Arlington High School in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served as an anti aircraft gunner on the aircraft carrier USS Randolph CV-15, surviving two kamikaze attacks. After serving his country in the Navy, Robert returned to Massachusetts and enrolled at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, earning a Bachelors of Science in 1949 and a Masters of Chemistry in 1951. During the Korean Conflict, Decareau was commissioned a 1st Lt. in the Army and was stationed in Linz, Austria. There he met and married his wife of 56 years, Rosa Kaiser. Returning to the U.S., Robert earned a Doctorate in Chemistry in 1955. There he was a charter member of the PhiTau Sigma Honor Society. Robert worked as a research and development scientist for Raytheon, developing microwave energy food applications. His work was significant to the progress of creating the microwave oven for use in the modern cooking field. He was one of the first to call himself a food scientist in a new field of Food Technology. He worked for the TJ Lipton Co., developing freeze-drying processes for their food products. In the sixties, he worked for Litton Industries of Palo Alto, CA, developing microwave ovens soon to be found in modern commercial kitchens. Later, Robert worked for research and development at U.S. Army Natick Laboratories, developing food-processing techniques for Military and space exploration applications. He published several books on microwave power. He was a founding member of the International Microwave Power Institute, the founder of the scientific journal published by the institute, serving as editor for many years. He received the IMPI Fellow Award. In addition, he was lauded as Mr. Microwave by his peers at Natick Laboratories. Dr. Decareau worked tirelessly as a consultant for many food companies developing many products and foods common in the modern home. Robert was a devoted husband, proud and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a communicant of St. Patrick�s church in Milford, where he served as a lector and sang in the choir. Bob enjoyed classical piano music, dancing, playing tennis, chess, skiing and following the Red Sox. In later years, he enjoyed his kitty cat, drives in the country and keeping company in the garden with Rosa. Bob and Rosa enjoyed traveling, Germany and Austria were favorite destinations. Robert was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Jeanette Decareau. He is survived by his Bride of 56 years, Rosa Decareau of Amherst, NH; four daughters and sons-in-law, Annlise Heatherington of Milford, Erica Daly of Hollis, NH, Karen and Shepley Ross of Auburn, ME, Maria and Denis Petit of Merrimack; two sons and daughters-in-law, Loren and Katia Decareau, Dave and Marlene Decareau all of Nashua; seven grandchildren and one great-grandson; a brother, Paul Decareau of Newbury Park, CA; a niece and a nephew in California. Calling hours are Wednesday, January 21st from 3:00-6:00 pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 am in St. Patrick�s Church, 34 Amherst Street, Milford, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer�s Association, 1 Bedford Farms Drive, Suite 105, Bedford, NH 03110.