Introduction
Walter Allen Stosch (born August 18, 1936 in Fredericksburg, Virginia) is an American politician in the Republican Party. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1983 until 1992, when he was elected to the Senate of Virginia. He was Majority leader 1998–2007, after which he was named Republican Leader Emeritus. He served as the President Pro Tempore of the Senate for his final term, except for a six-month period when Democrats controlled the chamber. He represented the 12th district, made up of parts of Hanover and Henrico Counties.
Personal life
Stosch was born and raised in the Northern Neck of Virginia. He served in the United States Army 1953–56, then attended the University of Richmond, where he received a B.S. degree in accounting in 1959. He passed the Certified Public Accountant exam and began practice in Richmond. In 1984, he received an MBA degree from the same school. He was also an adjunct professor at both Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University.
He married Eleanor Herbert. They had two children, David and Karen, and four grandchildren, Sarah Stosch Stewart, Ashley Watson, Kelly Stosch and Brian Watson.