A Minnesota pastor has died from injuries sustained in a swimming pool accident aboard a cruise ship during a family celebration in Italy. Stephen Junker, 58, was found “face down and unresponsive” in a pool on the Sun Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, on August 16. He died from his injuries on September 5, according to his family and a GoFundMe fundraiser.
Injury and treatment
Junker, a pastor at Chippewa Lutheran Church in Brandon, Minnesota, was taken by an Italian Coast Guard boat to a hospital in Naples, where doctors found severe compression of his spinal cord at the C3-C4 level of his neck. He underwent emergency spinal surgery on August 17 and was later diagnosed as quadriplegic, unable to breathe without mechanical ventilation.
“Our biggest challenge right now is navigating the Italian healthcare system,” the family said at the time. “While they’re doing their best, they are not well equipped for this type of situation, nor will they cooperate with us regarding his care, independent of the language barrier.”
Transfer and final diagnosis
On August 23, Junker was transferred from the Italian hospital to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, on a transatlantic medevac flight. Further diagnostic testing at Mayo Clinic revealed injuries that were not treatable, his family later said.
The family thanked medical staff at Mayo Clinic, saying: “We’re glad we were able to give him the opportunity to receive world-class care and reassured that everything that could possibly be done to help him was done.”
Community and family tributes
The fundraiser supporting Junker and his family had raised more than $34,900 (around £25,750) at the time of reporting. His obituary described being a minister as “among the greatest joys and honors of his life” and noted he had served the congregation and community at Chippewa Lutheran Church for nearly a decade.
“He was known for his animated sermons, his love of a good conversation on nearly any subject, and his readiness to help anyone in need, whether that meant offering counsel or simply producing the right tool for the job from his ever-prepared pockets,” the obituary reads. “Above all, Steve loved his family. He was a devoted husband to Jeanine and a loving father to his five children. His grandson, Jonah, held a special and cherished place in his heart.”
A visitation will be held at 10am on Friday, September 11, at Chippewa Lutheran Church, followed by a funeral service at 11am. Princess Cruises has been contacted for comment.
