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]
Nancy Burr Deloye Fitzroy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nancy Burr Deloye October 5, 1927 |
| 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/ |
Life and career
editBorn 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
edit- 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
edit- GE heat transfer and fluid flow data books (1955–1974)
- Career guidance for women entering engineering (1973)
References
edit- ^ 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.
External links
edit- 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.