Background
Fitzroy, Nancy deLoye was born on October 5, 1927 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, United States.
mechanical engineer engineering executive
Fitzroy, Nancy deLoye was born on October 5, 1927 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, United States.
Bachelor in Chemical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, 1949. Doctor of Engineering (honorary), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1990. Doctor of Science (honorary), New Jersey Institute of Technology, 1987.
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. In 1952, she became a development engineer for General Electric, initially working on the Hermes Missile Program and designing heat transfer surfaces for nuclear reactor cores.
Nancy would remain with the General Electric company for the next 37 years.
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.
She was appointed editor of the General Electric heat transfer and fluid flow data books, a reference work that was made available by subscription to engineers world-wide beginning in 1970. During the 1970s, Nancy turned to administrative and management roles.
She was named manager for heat transfer consulting in 1971, a strategic planner from 1974-1976, then an advanced concepts planner and proposal manager up to 1979.
During 1979–1982 she was a manager of energy and environmental programs with General Electric"s Turbine Market and Projects Division. Thenceforth she work as a consultant involved with gas turbines, nuclear energy, and space vehicles. From June 1986-1987 she became the first female president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers—the first woman to head a major national engineering society.
She retired in 1987.
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.
Charter member Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Council, since 1972. Fellow: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (honorary. 1st woman national president 1986-1987, trustee Gear Research Institute 1987-1989), Society Women Engineers (Outstanding Achievement award 1972), Institution Mechanical Engineers London (honorary).
Member: Association Engrings. Societies (governor 1987-1989), National Academy Engineering, Coral Ridge Yacht Club (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), Mohawk Golf Club, Whirly-Girls Club, Ninety-Nines Club.
Daughter of Jules Emile and Mabel Winifred (Burr) deLoye. Married Roland Victor Fitzroy, Junior, March 24, 1951.