Donald A. Brinkworth, 86, attorney

Donald A. Brinkworth, 86, of West Chester, a lawyer and retired Conrail vice president, died of melanoma Friday at home.

Mr. Brinkworth, whose father was a stationmaster with the Pennsylvania Railroad, grew up in railroad towns in Ohio and Pennsylvania. He attended Bethany College in West Virginia until enlisting in the Army in 1942.

During World War II, he was a sergeant with the Third Infantry Division. He participated in the invasion of North Africa, the landing at Anzio Beach, and the liberation of Rome.

Later, he fought in France and central Europe, and crossed the Rhine with his division in March 1945. He received several decorations, including the Croix de Guerre from the French government.

After the war, he studied at Cambridge University before returning to Bethany, where he earned a bachelor's degree. He then earned a law degree from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio.

While working for the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Penn Central in Pittsburgh, he earned a doctorate in corporate law from the University of Pittsburgh.

In 1969, he was transferred to Philadelphia. When the Penn Central broke up in 1976, he joined Conrail. He was Conrail's assistant vice president for finance and contracts. He became general counsel for litigation before being promoted to vice president and general counsel in 1987.

After retiring in 1989, Mr. Brinkworth was with the law firm of Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis for several years.

In his younger years, he enjoyed camping, canoeing and paddle tennis. He was loyal to his Ohio roots and was a Cleveland Browns and Indians fan, his family said.

Mr. Brinkworth is survived by his wife, Mary R.; daughters Christine Pittman, Debra Leese, Dona Cullinan, and Louise Snyder; a son, Arthur; stepchildren Karen Orlando and Karl Russo; and 13 grandchildren. His wife of 48 years, Marjorie Alexander Brinkworth, died in 1999.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. today at the First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, 130 W. Miner St., West Chester, Pa. 19382. Donations may be made to the church, where Mr. Brinkworth was a member for 25 years.