Dick Eastland, longtime owner and director of Camp Mystic, was described as a “father figure to all” after the news of his untimely, but heroic, death was confirmed.
KERRVILLE, Texas — The Kerrville Daily Times confirmed that longtime owner and director of Camp Mystic Dick Eastland died while trying to save and protect campers from the rushing floodwaters.
Eastland was described as a father figure to campers while they were away from their parents for six weeks during the summer.
He had four boys of his own and reportedly always put the safety of his campers first.
Eastland would reportedly keep up with his campers, attending weddings and other meaningful moments.
One of Eastland’s former campers said they learned so much from him and weren’t surprised at all when hearing that he risked his own life to save campers as floodwaters rushed through.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all that his last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers. He had already saved so many lives with the gift of Camp Mystic,” said Paige Sumner, a former camper and friend of Dick Eastland.
Kerr County officials say a total of 43 people, 15 of whom are children, have been confirmed dead after Friday’s devastating floods.
27 girls who were at Camp Mystic when the floods rushed through remain unaccounted for as of Saturday night.
Reunification line
Amidst the catastrophic Fourth of July Flooding, the City of Kerrville Emergency Management has established a reunification intake line for parents of campers who are unaccounted for.
If you do not know where your camper is, call 830-258-1111 and say the name of your missing person and you will be directed to a shelter. For other missing persons, call 830-257-8181.