Madison - Frederick Stamm Brightbill, age 76, passed away on March 4th, 2015 due to complications from Lewy Body dementia.
He was born on January 13, 1939, the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Stamm) Brightbill.
Fred was an extraordinary man -- known for his kindness, morality and generosity of spirit. He was passionate about his family, his work as an ophthalmologist, fly fishing in Jackson Hole, music, traveling, art, dancing and, of course, the Wisconsin Badgers.
Fred is survived by his wife of 22 years, Courtney Moffatt Brightbill, and his four children: Tim Brightbill (married to Ruth Gates) of Alexandria, VA, Paul Brightbill (married to Cindy Brightbill) of Seattle, WA, Susan Brightbill Dahlseid. (married to Tim Dahlseid) of Minneapolis, MN, and Jenny Rule (married to Mike Rule) of Whitewater, WI; and step children Ashley Anderson (married to Mike Anderson) of St Paul, MN and Trevor Helmick (married to Melissa Helmick) of St Paul, MN. He is further survived by eleven grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Maddie, Grace and Charlotte Brightbill, Luke and Josh Rule, Dixie and Murray Brightbill, Cormac Dahlseid, and Peter, Ryan and Oliver Anderson.
Fred was a founder and Medical Director at Brightbill/Ericson Eye Associates New Vision Laser Center in Rockford, IL.
He was a Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and a past physician and surgeon for many years at Davis-Duehr Eye Clinic in Madison. He was among the first surgeons to perform laser refractive surgery in Wisconsin.
Fred was preceded in death by his first wife, Dixie Burns Brightbill, his sister Beth and their parents.
A funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Waunakee, on Friday, March 13th at 4:30pm. 5763 County Road Q, Waunakee, WI 53597. A reception and celebration of his life will take place at the church following the service.
With deep appreciation, the family thanks the staff of Agrace Hospice and BrightStar Senior Living -- especially Robyn and Bonnie for their unyielding compassion and skill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Fred's honor to the Frederick S. and Courtney M. Brightbill Fund for Ophthalmology Advancement School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UW Madison. Brightbill Fund
Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com