I think that good curious researcher won't stop looking for solutions for existing problems in the realia of their specialty. Or even they won't stop innovation to improve the environment where man lives, to facilitate living and provide fun.
The life of a researcher intermingles investigations and teaching/mentoring students/young researchers to carry on with new questions that lead to problems to be studied/resolved. The beauty of such a life is the never ending learning opportunity which makes the world of research truly fascinating. The life of a researcher should not be in isolation from the world in which he/she lives. Here is where the knowledge unraveled is made available to others (especially non-researchers) in a manner that it is understandable for what it means and for the implications this knowledge may have. Researchers are ethical persons who are committed to improve the world and guiding decision making in the best way for everyone and for the planet.
El objetivo final para la vida de un investigador no existe, no hay final, el objetivo para toda la vida de un investigador es investigar, investigar, investigar, alcanzar nuevos conocimientos, formar a sus hijos y a cualquier joven con el que trabaje cómo investigador, multiplicar su obra, saberse útil por los resultados de sus investigaciones, tener publicaciones científicas, libros editados, que hagan que su obra perdure para el bien de muchos, pero no hay un final hay que investigar durante toda la vida hasta el final.
Being recognized as someone with a posetive, eventhough limited, impact on human knowledge is the best way of honoring. It is what gives value to our short human existance.