Richard “Dick” Eastland, the proprietor and director of Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas, died throughout the flash floods that struck Central Texas on Friday, his nephew confirmed on Fb. Eastland was 74.
The Eastland household has owned and operated Camp Mystic, the Christian ladies’ summer season camp, since 1939. The camp was based again in 1926. Dick was the third era to handle Mystic after he and his spouse, Tweety, bought the camp in 1974, serving as govt administrators for over 50 years. Eastland’s spouse Tweety was discovered secure at dwelling, officers stated.
Eastland’s youngsters are additionally integral to Camp Mystic’s operations: Richard Eastland, their eldest son, serves as head chef and runs the eating corridor; Edward Eastland, the youngest son, is the director at Camp Mystic’s unique Guadalupe River website, and manages the camp together with his spouse, Mary Liz; and Britt Eastland, one other son, directs Camp Mystic’s Cypress Lake campus, a more recent addition established in 2020.
Dick Eastland was recognized for his involvement in the West Kerr County neighborhood, serving on the Hunt Unbiased College District Board and training youth sports activities, notably the West Kerr County Little League and the West Kerr County Little Dribblers. Eastland additionally notably survived mind most cancers.
In response to statements from camp officers and survivors, Eastland was final seen main a gaggle of ladies from a cabin attempting to get them to security. His physique was later discovered close to his car.
On July 4, extreme flooding in Texas Hill Nation induced the Guadalupe River to rise greater than 25 toes in lower than an hour, which caught many campers and employees off guard. Officers say 27 campers and counselors died at Camp Mystic, together with younger ladies from varied states. As of July 7, at least 10 campers and one counselor stay lacking. Statewide, the loss of life toll from the floods has reached at the very least 95, with 75 individuals reported useless in Kerr County. The Texas Nationwide Guard and native authorities have deployed helicopters, boats, and drones to find survivors and get well the lacking.
Survivors described scenes of confusion as employees labored to maneuver campers to larger floor. “We went to mattress pondering it was only a regular thunderstorm,” Callie McAlary, a 16-year-old camper, advised Fox Information. “One minute you see lightning strike subsequent to your cabin, and subsequent to you, you hear water’s coming up.”
Camp officers and survivors credited Eastland and the employees with serving to save lives throughout the catastrophe. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has since visited Camp Mystic, declaring a state of emergency and pledging continued assist for search and rescue operations. “I urge each Texan to hitch me in prayer this Sunday—for the lives misplaced, for these nonetheless lacking, for the restoration of our communities, and for the security of these on the entrance traces,” Abbott stated in a press release.
Camp Mystic, on its web site, says it’s “deeply grateful for the outpouring of assist” and asks for “respect and privateness” because it charts a brand new path ahead.
