Richard “Dick” Eastland, the owner and director of Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas, died on Friday during the fall flooding that occurred central texas, confirmed his nephew on Facebook. Eastland was 74.
The Eastland family owned and operated Camp Mystic, the summer camp of the Christian girls. Since 1939. The camp was founded in 1926. Dick was the third generation that mystic headed after he and his wife Tweety had bought the Camp in 1974 and acted as managing director for over 50 years. Eastland’s wife Tweety was found safely at home, said officials.
Eastland’s children are also an essential part of the operations of Camp Mystic: Richard Eastland, her eldest son, serves as a chef and runs the dining room. Edward Eastland, the youngest son, is the director of Camp Mystic’s original location in Guadalupe and manages the camp with his wife Mary Liz. And Britt Eastland, another son, heads Camp Mystic’s campus, a newer addition in 2020.
Dick Eastland was known for his commitment to the West Kerr County Community, the Hunting Independent School District Board and coach of youth sports, especially the West Kerr County Little League and the Little Dribblers by West Kerr County. Eastland also survived brain cancer.
Accordingly Testify Camp officials and survivors recently saw Eastland how a group of girls led out of a cabin to bring them to safety. His body was later found near his vehicle.
On July 4, severe floods in Texas Hill Country led to the Guadalupe river rose by more than 25 feet in less than an hour, which surprises many campers and employees. Say civil servants 27 campers and consultants died in Camp Mystic, including young girls from different states. From July 7th, at least 10 campers and a consultant will be missing. Nationwide, the number of fatalities of the floods has reached at least 95, and 75 people who were reported dead in Kerr County. The Texas National Guard and the local authorities have used helicopters, boats and drones to locate survivors and restore the missing people.
Survivors described confusing scenes than the employees worked to bring campers to higher soil. “We went to bed when we were only a normal thunderstorm,” Callie Mcalary, a 16-year-old motorhome, told Fox news. “In a minute you can see a lightning strike next to your cabin and next to you you hear how water gets.”
Camp officials and survivors have attributed Eastland and the employees to save lives during the catastrophe. The governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has now visited Camp Mystic, explained a state of emergency and promises the continued support for search and rescue operations. “I ask every Texan to be in prayer this Sunday – for the lost lives, for those who are still missing, for recovery of our communities and for the safety of those at the front.” Abbott said in an explanation.
Camp mystical, On his websiteSays that it is “deeply grateful for the support of the support” and asks for “respect and privacy”, while it puts a new way forward.
