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

External links

• Women in Engineering: Nancy D. Fitzroy on YouTube
• "Associate Professor Frank Wicks honored by American Society of Mechanical Engineers", The Chronicle, vol. 71, no. 5, Union College, 5 October 2007, retrieved 17 April 2013.
• Buel, Bill (17 May 2013), "GE's Nancy Fitzroy is subject of latest Wizards of Schenectady video", The Daily Gazette, Schenectady, NY, retrieved 10 December 2015.