Hon. David John "Chip" Brightbill

The Hon. David John “Chip” Brightbill, born November 3, 1942, passed peacefully with family by his side on Thursday morning, November 6, 2025. The former State Senator for Pennsylvania’s 48th District of nearly two and a half decades, Chip was most proud of the success of his five boys. A man of unlimited generosity, through the years, Chip, Donna (his wife of 37 years), and their family were at the center of countless joyful gatherings of sons, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, extended family and their friends of all ages. First elected to School Board at age 23, Chip later ran “against the Party” to become Lebanon County District Attorney in 1977. He was a practicing attorney and member of the Lebanon County Bar Association for more than 50 years. In the State Senate, his Land Recycling Act, Act 2 of 1995, became a national model after dozens of states adopted the legislation. Chip was on hand with President George W. Bush for the bill signing when Act 2’s ideas were later incorporated into the federal Brownfield Amendments of 2002. Chip rose through the ranks of the State Senate to become Majority Leader. Some of his many contributions included leadership and funding for: acquisition and restoration of Governor Dick park, the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail network, the Union Canal Tunnel, Hazel Dyke, the Giant Center in Hershey, the City of Lebanon railroad overpasses, the commuter parking at the Lebanon exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the Lebanon Valley Exposition Center & Fairgrounds, where the Brightbill Arena is named in his honor. Chip further championed legislation to deregulate and bring market competition to Pennsylvania energy markets, reform the Milton Hershey School Trust and keep The Hershey Company a great Pennsylvania company, as well as numerous environmental laws to improve air, water, and land quality in the Commonwealth. After leaving the Senate in 2006, Chip joined the Harrisburg office of Stevens & Lee, a Mid-Atlantic regional law firm, as Senior Counsel in the Government Affairs group. Chip worked at Stevens & Lee advocating for many clients in the areas of healthcare, agriculture, railroad, and beverage suppliers from 2006 until his retirement in June of 2024. Many of his clients became good friends. Chip was the son of the late Jonathan McMichael “Jack” Brightbill and Verda McGill Brightbill. Jack, the son of a steelworker at the Bethlehem Steel Plant, started and operated The Junction Diner in Jonestown, then the Lincoln Diner on Cumberland Street (now Mel Diner’s) in Lebanon. Jack, a World War II Veteran, later served on Lebanon City Council. Verda, daughter of a Palmyra school principal and professor at Lebanon Valley College, opened and operated a beauty shop on South Eight Street in Lebanon, before joining Jack in business at the Diner making the pies and managing the waitresses, lovingly referred to as “the girls.” Chip was preceded in death by his sister, Pearl Stewart, and brother, Jack Snavely Brightbill. Chip would say he was a “terrible student” as a kid. High school teachers told him he was not “college material.” Chip proved them wrong, attending Pennsylvania Military College, Penn State University, and then working as a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News before attending The Duquesne University School of Law. His proudest day was having his Mom and “Pop” — who was Chip’s hero and biggest supporter — on hand to see Chip graduate second in his class and Law Review Editor-In-Chief. Throughout his lifetime, Chip enjoyed many hobbies and interests. Chip was a private pilot, sailor, powerboat enthusiast, and history buff. He enjoyed downhill skiing, hunting, fishing, amateur carpentry, photography, sporting clay shooting, and traveling with his family. Chip is survived by his wife, the Hon. Donna Jean Brightbill (nee Long), a Judge on the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas, his son J. David and wife Rose, son Jonathan and wife Nicole, son Andrew and partner Tina, son Christian, son Adam, grandchildren Hanna, Tamsin, Jacob, Chip and Davis — and the many, many people whose lives he touched and even changed. A public viewing will be held on Friday, November 14th, 2025, from 6:00 PM-9:00 PM at Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 618 E. Main St. Annville, PA 17003. Additional parking is available for the public viewing at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 125 Spruce St. Annville, PA 17003. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 15th, 2025, at Blair Music Center on the campus of Lebanon Valley College, College Ave., Annville, PA 17003. Please plan to arrive earlier to the service due to limited parking near Blair Music Center. Chip will be laid to rest at a private interment next to his parents, Jack and Verda, at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clarence Shock Memorial Park at Governor Dick, 3283 Pinch Road, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064 or Lebanon Valley Rails-to-Trails, P.O. Box 2043, Cleona, PA 17042. Kreamer Funeral Home, Annville is handling arrangements.

Hon. David John "Chip" Brightbill

November 3, 1942 - November 6, 2025