Six days after suffering a serious fall in which he suffered a significant head injury, Alaska's last Territorial Governor Mike Stepovich succumbed to his injuries on Friday.

94-year-old Stepovich sufffered a fall at one of his son’s, Jim Stepovich’s, house on Saturday, February 8th, injuring his head, breaking a finger and damaging his knee. Stepovich remained in a semi-conscious state at a California hospital.

Stepovich’s family gathered at the hospital, all thirteen children traveled to San Diego to pay their last respects and say good-bye.

Stepovich, born at St.Joseph’s Hospital in Fairbanks on March 12, 1919, was nominated governor of the territory of Alaska on May 9, 1957 by President Eisenhower . He took office in June of the same year, replacing Frank Heinzleman, who earlier resigned.

After the signing of the Alaskan Statehood Bill on July 7, 1958, Stepovich issued primary and general election proclamations, then resigned from the governorship on August 1, 1958. Stepovich attempted a run at the United States Senate following his resignation, but was unsuccessful and lost to Ernest Gruening in November of that year.

Prior to his appointment as governor of the Territory of Alaska, Stepovich served three terms in the Alaska Territorial Legislature as a Republican.

Stepovich would attempt to be elected Governor of the State of Alaska in 1962, but would lose to incumbent Bill Egan. He tried unsuccessfully to run again in 1966 against Wally Hickel, but lost in the Republican primary.

Stepovich would go back to his law practice in Fairbanks following his losses in political life and would remain there until 1978, when he and his wife relocated to Medford, Oregon.

Governor Parnell ordered state flags to be lowered to half-mast following Stepovich’s death. They are to remain at half-mast until after the ex-governor’s funeral.

“Alaska has lost a true pioneer,” Governor Parnell said. “Governor Stepovich was a strong, selfless figure. His love for our state is a great legacy that will endure for generations of Alaskans. A devout family man, the governor will be missed and never forgotten. Sandy and I extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends, who we are keeping in our thoughts and prayers.”

Senator Lisa Murkowski also reflected on Stepovich’s legacy, saying, “I am incredibly saddened to learn of the loss of Mike Stepovich, the last of Alaska’s territorial Governors. Mike played a vital role in Alaska’s admission to statehood, and for the 54 years that followed he occupied a prominent place on the public policy scene. Today we have lost another link to Alaska’s territorial history and that leaves a huge hole in my heart.

“Mike Stepovich and his family were some of our earliest and closest friends when my family moved to Fairbanks in the early ‘70s. Mike and his wife Matilda raised a large and loving family and while many Alaskans remember his role as a statesman I will always think of him first as a true family man.”

Alaska Senator Mark Begich also released a statement following the passing of Stepovich. “ Today Alaska lost one of its most historic figures with the passing of former Territorial Governor Mike Stepovich. Mike played an extremely vital role in the formation of our state and he will be remembered by all Alaskans for growing what was once a territory into the 49th state. His vision and commitment to statehood as well as his role as a proud statesman laid the path for the early success of Alaska and for that, all Alaskans are grateful. My thoughts are with his family.”