Told by his mother at age thirteen that he had just three years to leave home, Ken Carr planned to become an electrician like his father. Then a Sunday school teacher set him on course to become an electrical engineer, spurring his interest in microwaves. More than a technical tale, Ken’s riveting life story follows a long road of overcoming adversity, serving his country, and improving the world through technology. Accompanied by a team of devoted colleagues, Ken always made up his mind to “keep going,” despite personal tragedies and a betrayal that nearly cost him his life’s work. The recipient of 56 U.S. patents, Ken is currently developing a microwave-based system to eliminate blood-borne viruses in the bloodstream, aiming to cure some of the world’s deadliest diseases. Kenneth L. Carr , recipient of the 2022 Microwave Pioneer Award from the IEEE’s Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S), received his BSEE from Tufts University and an honorary Doctorate of Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology, where he served as a trustee for forty years. A Life Fellow of the IEEE, Ken is currently president of Meridian Medical Systems and Applied ThermoLogic, which he founded.