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Nancy Burr Deloye Fitzroy
Nancy Burr Deloye Fitzroy
Born	Nancy Burr Deloye; October 5, 1927; Pittsfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	January 15, 2024 (aged 96); Schenectady, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Education	B.ChE.
Alma mater	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Occupation	Engineering
Spouse(s)	Roland Victor Fitzroy, Jr.
Website	http://nancyfitzroy.org/

Nancy Burr Deloye Fitzroy (October 5, 1927 – January 15, 2024) was an American engineer specializing in heat transfer and fluid dynamics. She was one of the first female helicopter pilots.^[1]

Life and career

Born Nancy Burr Deloye in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, she became the first female student to study chemical engineering at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1949.

Hired by Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in 1950, she worked as an assistant engineer with the heat transfer group.^[2] In 1952, she became a development engineer for General Electric, initially working on the Hermes Missile Program^[3] and designing heat transfer surfaces for nuclear reactor cores.^[4] Fitzroy would remain with the General Electric company for the next 37 years. There she met her future husband, electrical engineer Roland Victor Fitzroy, Jr.;^[1] the couple were married in 1951.

Fitzroy specialized as a heat transfer engineer with the Advanced Technology Laboratories beginning in 1963. In 1965 she was a heat transfer consultant with the Research and Development Center, working on gas turbines, space satellites and other technologies.^[3] She was appointed editor of the GE heat transfer and fluid flow data books, a reference work that was made available by subscription to engineers world-wide beginning in 1970.^[2]

During the 1970s, Fitzroy turned to administrative and management roles. She was named manager for heat transfer consulting in 1971, a strategic planner from 1974 to 1976, then an advanced concepts planner and proposal manager up to 1979. During 1979–1982 she was a manager of energy and environmental programs with GE's Turbine Market and Projects Division. Thenceforth she worked as a consultant involved with gas turbines, nuclear energy, and space vehicles. From June 1986–87 she became the first female president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers^[3]—the first woman to head a major national engineering society.^[5] She retired in 1987.^[4]

Fitzroy was one of the first female helicopter pilots, and both she and her husband enjoyed flying, sailing and traveling.^[1] The Nancy DeLoye Fitzroy and Roland V. Fitzroy Medal was established in 2011 by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers to "pioneering contribution to the frontiers of engineering leading to a breakthrough(s) in existing technology or leading to new applications or new areas of engineering endeavor". Fitzroy served as chair for the committee that selects the recipients.^[6]

Fitzroy died in Schenectady, New York, on January 15, 2024, at the age of 96.^[7]

Awards and honors

Achievement Award, Society of Women Engineers (1972)^[3]
Demers Medal, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1975)^[3]
Davies Medal, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2014)^[8]
Centennial Medal, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (1980)^[3]
Federation of Professional Women Award (1984)^[3]
Honorary Fellow, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (1987)^[9]
Elected to the National Academy of Engineering (1996)^[10]
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Hall of Fame (1999)^[11]
Honorary Membership Award, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2008)^[4]
Honorary Doctorate in Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute^[10]
Honorary Doctor of Science Degree, New Jersey Institute of Technology^[10]

Bibliography

GE heat transfer and fluid flow data books (1955–1974)
Career guidance for women entering engineering (1973)

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Nancy DeLoye Fitzroy", Engineering Hall of Fame, Edison Tech Center, 2002, retrieved 17 April 2013.
^ ^a ^b "Women engineers unit commends Mrs. Fitzroy", Schenectady Gazette, Edison Tech Center, p. 33, 26 June 1972, retrieved 17 April 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Wayne, Tiffany K. (2011), American Women of Science Since 1900, ABC-CLIO, LLC, pp. 398–399, ISBN 978-1598841589.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Nancy DeLoye Fitzroy", Notables, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, archived from the original on 22 February 2012, retrieved 17 April 2013.
^ "Deloyle Named ASME President" (PDF), CSWP Gazette, vol. 6, no. 1, American Physical Society, February 1986, retrieved 17 April 2013.
^ "Nancy DeLoye Fitzroy and Roland V. Fitzroy Medal", Engineering honors, awards, and achievement awards, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, retrieved 17 April 2013.
^ "Dr. Nancy DeLoye Fitzroy". The Obituary App. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
^ "Mechanical Engineering Pioneer, First Woman President of ASME To Receive Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Davies Medal", RPI News, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2 May 2014, retrieved 30 August 2017.
^ "Honorary Fellows", Engineering Heritage, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, retrieved 17 April 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c Bernard, Peter (31 January 1996), "Pentagon Gives Awards To 18 Local Optometrists", SunSentinel, archived from the original on 3 March 2016, retrieved 17 April 2013.
^ "Nancy DeLoye Fitzroy", Alumni Hall of Fame, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, retrieved 16 April 2013.