Nancy Deloye Fitzroy
Nancy Burr Deloye Fitzroy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nancy Burr Deloye October 5, 1927 Pittsfield, Massachusetts |
| 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 (born October 5, 1927) is an American engineer specializing in heat transfer and fluid dynamics. She was one of the first female helicopter pilots.[1]
Early life and education[]
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.
Career[]
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] Nancy would remain with the General Electric company for the next 37 years. There she met her future husband, electrical engineer ;[1] the couple were married in 1951.
Nancy 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, Nancy 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]
Nancy 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". Nancy serves as chair for the committee that selects the recipients.[6]
Awards and honors[]
- Achievement Award, Society of Women Engineers (1972)[3]
- Demers Medal, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1975)[3]
- Davies Medal, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2014)[7]
- Centennial Medal, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (1980)[3]
- Federation of Professional Women Award (1984)[3]
- Honorary Fellow, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (1987)[8]
- Elected to the National Academy of Engineering (1996)[9]
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Hall of Fame (1999)[10]
- Honorary Membership Award, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2008)[4]
- Honorary Doctorate in Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute[9]
- Honorary Doctor of Science Degree, New Jersey Institute of Technology[9]
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 2013-04-17.
- ^ a b "Women engineers unit commends Mrs. Fitzroy", Schenectady Gazette, Edison Tech Center, p. 33, June 26, 1972, retrieved 2013-04-17.
- ^ 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 2012-02-22, retrieved 2013-04-17.
- ^ "Deloyle Named ASME President" (PDF), CSWP Gazette, American Physical Society, 6 (1), February 1986, retrieved 2013-04-17.
- ^ "Nancy DeLoye Fitzroy and Roland V. Fitzroy Medal", Engineering honors, awards, and achievement awards, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, retrieved 2013-04-17.
- ^ "Mechanical Engineering Pioneer, First Woman President of ASME To Receive Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Davies Medal", RPI News, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, May 2, 2014, retrieved 2017-08-30.
- ^ "Honorary Fellows", Engineering Heritage, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, retrieved 2013-04-17.
- ^ a b c Bernard, Peter (January 31, 1996), "Pentagon Gives Awards To 18 Local Optometrists", SunSentinel, retrieved 2013-04-17.
- ^ "Nancy DeLoye Fitzroy", Alumni Hall of Fame, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, retrieved 2013-04-16.
External links[]
- Women in Engineering: Nancy D. Fitzroy on YouTube
- "Associate Professor Frank Wicks honored by American Society of Mechanical Engineers", The Chronicle, Union College, 71 (5), October 5, 2007, retrieved 2013-04-17.
- Buel, Bill (May 17, 2013), "GE's Nancy Fitzroy is subject of latest Wizards of Schenectady video", The Daily Gazette, Schenectady, NY, retrieved 2015-12-10.
- 1927 births
- People from Pittsfield, Massachusetts
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni
- American women engineers
- General Electric people
- Presidents of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Living people
- 20th-century American engineers
- Members of the United States National Academy of Engineering
- American chemical engineers
- Fellows of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- 20th-century women engineers
- 21st-century women engineers
- 20th-century American women
- 21st-century American women