Hero Camp Owner Dies Saving Children in Texas Flood

As torrential rains turned the Guadalupe River into a roaring death trap, Camp Mystic director Dick Eastland made the ultimate sacrifice—laying down his life to save the very children he’d dedicated decades to nurturing.

The 78-year-old Christian camp director, affectionately known by generations of girls simply as “Mr. Dick,” was swept away Friday night while helping campers escape rising waters that tore through the beloved Hill Country retreat in Hunt, Texas. Witnesses say Eastland ran cabin to cabin ordering evacuations, refusing to leave until the last child was safe.

“He died doing exactly what he’s done for 50 years—putting kids first,” said camp counselor Katherine Somerville in a tearful interview with Fox News. “There’s no doubt he saved lives.”

A Lifetime of Service Ends in a Moment of Bravery

Dick Eastland bought Camp Mystic in 1974 with his wife, Tweety. What began as a humble Christian girls’ camp grew into one of Texas’ most cherished summer institutions—serving hundreds of girls each summer with horseback riding, Bible study, and riverside memories.

But early Friday evening, idyllic summer fun turned into panic. A freak weather system dumped more than 10 inches of rain in less than three hours, causing a flash flood that turned the Guadalupe River into a violent torrent. By nightfall, cabins were splintered, debris scattered, and screams echoed through the waterlogged forest.

“He was out in the storm, going cabin to cabin, making sure every girl had a way out,” said Paige Sumner, a former camper turned counselor. “He always said Mystic was a calling, not a business. He lived that until the very end.”

Eastland’s nephew posted a tribute to Facebook shortly after the tragedy, writing that his uncle had died “a hero’s death,” though the post was later removed out of respect for grieving staff and families.

Grief and Gratitude Ripple Across Texas

As of Sunday afternoon, Kerr County officials confirmed the deaths of at least 12 campers and one counselor. Another 11 remain missing. The broader flood disaster has claimed nearly 70 lives across Central Texas, including 21 children. More than 750 people were present at Camp Mystic when the flash flood hit.

Texas Congressman August Pfluger, whose daughters were evacuated from the camp, paid tribute to Eastland’s legacy.

“Dick Eastland no doubt gave his life attempting to save his campers,” Pfluger wrote on X. “He poured his heart into developing girls and women of character. Thank you, Mr. Eastland. We love you and miss you.”

Emergency crews continue to comb the flood-ravaged grounds of Camp Mystic and the surrounding riverbanks. Dozens of families have gathered nearby, some still awaiting word about their children.

“A Light in the Darkness”

In interviews, former campers called Eastland “a father figure,” “a man of God,” and “a steady hand in chaos.”

“He always told us to be brave, to be kind, and to never forget who we are in Christ,” said Somerville. “And in the end, he showed us what courage truly looks like.”

Photos from inside the camp show cabins ripped apart and strewn with furniture, clothes, and flooded prayer journals. Still, handwritten signs reading “We Love Mr. Dick” have begun appearing along the main road into the site.

Officials warn the death toll could rise as search and recovery efforts continue. Yet amid the destruction, Eastland’s legacy is already becoming legend.

“He didn’t just build a camp,” said Sumner. “He built generations of women who now know what love and sacrifice really mean.”

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This story will be updated as more information becomes available.