He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on December 19, 1957, the second son of Paul and Betty Pohland. He was born again and became a child of God by the sacrament of Holy Baptism on January 5, 1958, at Ascension Lutheran Church in St. Louis. About this second birth, God's Word is sure: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved." (Mark 16:16)

Walt publicly confessed his baptismal faith in the rite of Confirmation on May 30, 1971, at Christ Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Bible verse inscribed on his confirmation certificate was "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22) Newly confirmed, he received the sacrament of Holy Communion in the certainty of Jesus' promise: "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:54)

After receiving a Bachelor's degree in history and political science from Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin, Walt studied international relations at the University of Denver. In 1984, he enrolled at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and received his Master's of Divinity in 1988. On June 26th of that year, he was ordained into the office of the public ministry, and a month later, on July 31, 1988, he was installed as pastor of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Raymondville, Texas. His ordination banner was emblazoned with the text, "Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)

On Christmas Eve, 1989, Walt met Becky Jo Hildebrandt, daughter of Richard and Virginia Hildebrandt, who was visiting her parents in Raymondville for the holidays. A year later she accepted his proposal, and on May 26, 1990, they were married. Before their marriage Becky had lived for 18 years in Austin, where she had attended Concordia Junior College (now Concordia University-Austin). She received a Bachelor's degree in horticulture from Southwest Texas University (now Texas State University) in San Marcos in 1978. In 1984, Becky started her own business, an interior plant leasing company aptly named, "The Farmer's Daughter." (Becky's parents are retired Willacy County cotton farmers.)

On May 4, 1992, God blessed Walt and Becky with a daughter, Emily Lynette, who just graduated from the 8th grade (as her class valedictorian!) and will begin her freshman year in high school this August at Concordia Academy in Austin. Emily's hobbies include creative writing, volleyball, and talking on her cell phone. She likes to read, golf (always trouncing her dad, who, sadly, will never qualify for the pro tour), and play the piano.

Soli Deo Gloria!