Nancy Deloye Fitzroy

Nancy Burr Deloye Fitzroy (October 5, 1927 – January 15, 2024) was an American engineer specializing in heat transfer and fluid dynamics. Fitzroy developed advanced heat transfer solutions for space vehicles, satellites, home appliances, air conditioning, jet engines, gas turbines, steam turbines, nuclear reactor cores, motors, and many other diverse types of equipment. Two of her achievements were the invention of a thermal chip to measure temperature in integrated circuits and a thermal protection system for use in US early warning systems.

Equal to her technical accomplishments was her dedication to expanding the applied literature on heat transfer and fluid flow. She is considered both a chemical and a mechanical engineer.

Fitzroy served as President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, was a recipient of the Society of Women Engineers Achievement Award, and was elected into the National Academy of Engineering. Years later, she owned and operated a twin-engine Cessna and became a licensed helicopter pilot.

Fitzroy studied chemical engineering at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1949.

Career Hired by Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in 1950, Fitzroy worked as an assistant engineer with the heat transfer group. Fitzroy would remain with the General Electric company for the next 37 years.

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.

Fitzroy's work reflects the interdisciplinary nature of engineering, as she can be considered both a chemical and a mechanical engineer. Male Plug Assembly Incorporating Power Supply US Patent No. 3,880,491

Organizations Fitzroy was elected as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

Fitzroy was equally involved within the Society of Women Engineers as chairwoman of the 1973 Henniker III Career Guidance Conference, chairing the Nominating Committee, the Achievement Award Committee and serving on the Executive Committee.

Fitzroy was also a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and an affiliate member of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). She served on the Board of Governors of the American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES). She was also on the Board of Engineering Manpower in Educational Policy of the National Research Council. Rensselaer Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award (1996)

Fitzroy served in engineering society roles at the local, regional and national level. She worked to broaden the pool of technological talent by initiating new programs to increase the participation of women and minorities in engineering.