During his years as George & Lyda Wasson Professor of Religion at Whitworth, Dr. Bruner touched the lives of countless students. His passion for teaching the biblical narrative, for scholarship and for church renewal made him one of Whitworth’s most influential professors. His influence extended far beyond the generation of students he taught and mentored at Whitworth. In fact, during his tenure at the college, he spoke and taught at hundreds of churches all over the country. Here, too, his passion for the gospel and his utter belief in the healing power of the church was infectious, and he became one of the most sought-after speakers in the Presbyterian Church. He continues to have a vital teaching ministry in the PCUSA, and often teaches at annual staff training for Young Life, the nations largest para-church ministry to teenagers.

Upon retirement from Whitworth, in 1997, Dale and his wife of 46 years, Kathy, moved to Pasadena, California, where he embarked on new studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. "On weekdays I walk an hour to the seminary," he says, "where I am now quietly doing research toward a commentary on the Gospel of John." Acknowledging his single-minded, scholarly nature, he adds, "Most afternoons after work Kathy and I walk together in the park so that I can learn to ‘chat,’ my single major challenge in life!"  On Sunday mornings during the school year he enjoys teaching here at his home church.  "I am deeply grateful to God for the privilege of studying and teaching what I believe with the Church is the single most important subject in the world: the gospel of Jesus Christ."