Franklin S. Dyrness graduated from Wheaton College in 1927, where he was a member of the Scholastic Honors Society. In 1960 Dyrness received an honorary doctorate (D.D.) from his alma mater. Dyrness attended Westminster Theological Seminary and pastored the Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church from 1931 through 1936. He also helped to organize the Westminster Bible Conference, serving as director for 5 years, and executive director for 37 years. In 1948, he and a group of associates founded the Quarryville Presbyterian Home. Franklin held the position of president from 1948 until he retired in December 1985. On the 60th anniversary of his graduation from Wheaton, the Home and the CoIlege contributed funds to establish the Franklin S. Dyrness Chair of Biblical Studies at Wheaton College. Dyrness was married to fellow classmate, Dorothy, and together they had one son (Franklin) and three daughters (Nancy, Margaret, and Lois). Dyrness died June 16, 1990, at the Presbyterian Home he founded in Quarryville, Pennsylvania.