Camilla Jessen
As devastating floods swept through Texas, Dick Eastland gave his life trying to save children in his care.
The death toll from the catastrophic flash floods in Texas over the 4th of July weekend has risen to 82, including at least 20 children.
Among the dead is Dick Eastland, director of the Christian summer camp for girls, Camp Mystic, who died trying to rescue campers from the rising waters of the Guadalupe River.
According to state officials, the river surged by 26 feet in just 45 minutes on Friday, overwhelming the region with little warning.
Twenty-seven campers from Camp Mystic remain unaccounted for as search and rescue efforts continue.
A Final Act of Heroism
Eastland, 70, was confirmed dead on Saturday after he attempted to save others amid the chaos.
His nephew, Gardner Eastland, initially announced his death in a Facebook post later removed.
Congressman August Pfluger, whose daughters were rescued from the camp, also confirmed Eastland’s death, calling it an act of selfless bravery.
“Camp Mystic’s Dick Eastland no doubt gave his life attempting to save his campers,” Pfluger wrote on X. “For decades he and his wife Tweety poured his life into loving and developing girls and women of character.”
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly told The Washington Post that Eastland died in a helicopter en route to a hospital in Houston. His wife, Tweety, was found safe at their home.
“An Inspiration to So Many”
Eastland was part of the third generation in his family to lead Camp Mystic, which was founded in 1926.
His eldest son Richard ran the camp kitchen, while his youngest son Edward and daughter-in-law served as camp directors.
At the camp, Eastland was known for teaching fishing and acting as a father figure to hundreds of girls.
“He was the father of four amazing boys, but he had hundreds of girls each term who looked up to him like a dad,” former camper Paige Sumner wrote in the Kerrville Daily Times.
Eastland had previously survived brain cancer and was deeply involved in the local community, serving on the Hunt Independent School District Board and coaching youth sports.
“His last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers,” Sumner added. “He had already saved so many lives with the gift of Camp Mystic.”
Camp counselor Katharine Somerville described Eastland as “one of the most selfless men in the whole world,” telling Fox News, “He guided us in our faith and our activities, he always told us to make new friends and to share our love with everyone.”
