Camp Mystic director who died rescuing girls in floods hailed for 'last act of kindness and sacrifice'

KERR COUNTY, TEXAS: A beloved camp director who dedicated more than five decades to mentoring girls at Camp Mystic has died after attempting to save young campers from a catastrophic flood that tore through the region on Friday, July 4.

The death toll from the catastrophic flooding in Central Texas has risen to more than 82, with dozens still missing. In Kerr County alone, searchers have recovered 68 bodies, including 28 children. 

Richard “Dick” Eastland, 70, served as director of Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls, since he purchased it in 1974.

Camp Mystic director Richard 'Dick' Eastland dies rescuing young girls 

Richard "Dick" Eastland was confirmed deceased on Saturday, July 5, after being airlifted in a helicopter en route to a hospital.

He had been rescued after rushing toward one of the camp’s 23 cabins in an effort to save young girls before it was swept away by the floodwaters.

His nephew first shared news of his passing in a Facebook post, which has since been taken down. It was later confirmed that Eastland’s wife, Tweety Eastland, survived and was found at their home on the campgrounds.

He was among the 68 people confirmed dead in Kerr County alone.

Search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing as the Guadalupe River’s rapid rise devastated the area in just 45 minutes, destroying cabins and trapping campers before warnings could be issued.

Camp Mystic director remembered as father figure after death in Texas floods

Former campers and community members are mourning Richard "Dick" Eastland’s loss, remembering him as a pillar of the Camp Mystic experience.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all that his last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers,” one former camper wrote in a column for the Daily Times, describing him as a father figure to generations of girls who attended the camp.

Camp Mystic, founded in 1926, has remained in the Eastland family for three generations. With a mission to "bring out the best" in young girls while fostering faith and friendship, the camp has long been a cherished summer tradition for families across the state.

With 27 still missing, Texas floods spur ongoing rescue efforts

According to CBS News, 27 campers from Camp Mystic remain missing. With floodwaters receding, rescuers continue combing the debris-strewn landscape for signs of life.

The historic flood hit with unprecedented force, submerging multiple cabins and scattering debris across vast stretches of land. Approximately 750 girls were present at Camp Mystic when the flood began. 

The camp assured parents via email that any child not specifically named in direct communications had been accounted for. However, social media has been filled with heartbreaking posts from families confirming the loss of their daughters, even as official tallies of the deceased and missing remain under review.

Rapid Texas flooding hampers response as search operations press on

Local officials emphasized the sheer speed and unpredictability of the flooding event. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice told ABC News, “This happened very quickly, over a very short period of time, that could not be predicted, even with the radar.” Rainfall described as "months' worth in minutes" caused the Guadalupe River to surge 26 feet in just 45 minutes.

Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement on Sunday, July 6, urging Texans to pray for the victims and survivors. “I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday, for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines,” he said, vowing continued search efforts around the clock.

As the heartache deepens across Kerr County and beyond, the legacy of Eastland and the enduring spirit of the Camp Mystic community remain at the center of tributes pouring in from across the nation.