He Ran Toward the Water, Not Away: The Story of a Camp Director Who Gave Everything

When the skies opened up over Hunt, Texas, no one could have imagined the heartbreak that was about to unfold. The river that had long been the peaceful backdrop of Camp Mystic turned into a violent force of destruction. And in the chaos, one man made a choice that would define his legacy forever.

Dick Eastland wasn’t just the camp director at Camp Mystic. To hundreds—if not thousands—of young girls who spent their summers there, he was a mentor, a father figure, a steady hand who made them feel safe and seen. For over 50 years, Dick and his wife Tweety poured their hearts into building not just a camp, but a home away from home. A place where character was shaped, friendships were born, and young women found their confidence.

When the floods came crashing through the Guadalupe River valley, Dick didn’t hesitate. He didn’t think about his own safety. He thought about the children. He always did.

Witnesses say Dick was last seen moving toward danger, not away from it—doing everything he could to get campers to higher ground, to safety, to life. He knew that water. He knew the risks. But his heart didn’t leave room for hesitation.

We now know that at least 27 lives were lost at Camp Mystic during that terrible storm. Eleven children and one counselor are still missing. Across Kerr County, the numbers are even more staggering. Nearly 70 lives gone—21 of them children. And among the heroes who didn’t make it out… was Dick Eastland.

Texas Representative August Pfluger, whose own daughters were among those safely evacuated from Camp Mystic, paid tribute to Dick Eastland’s incredible sacrifice. He reflected on the lifelong impact Dick and his wife, Tweety, had made, writing, “For decades, they dedicated their lives to shaping young girls into strong, compassionate women.” He ended with a heartfelt message: “Thank you, Mr. Eastland. We love you. We miss you deeply.”

Former camper Paige Sumner shared her grief in a local newspaper, remembering Dick not just as a camp leader, but as “a father figure to all of us.” She said what so many felt: “It doesn’t surprise me that his last act was to try to save those kids. That’s who he always was.”

Counselor Kathatine Somerville echoed the same sentiments through tears on national television. “He was a guiding light. He taught us to love openly, to live faithfully, and to always look out for one another. He wasn’t just our leader—he was our compass.”

When the raging waters tore through Camp Mystic, 750 souls—campers, counselors, and staff—were swept into a nightmare no one saw coming. In the aftermath, emergency crews have worked around the clock, searching for the missing, comforting shattered families, and trying to piece together what the flood left behind. But for those who knew Dick Eastland, no amount of rescue or recovery can fill the space left by the man who was, in so many ways, the heart and soul of the camp.

What makes a hero?

Sometimes, it’s not someone in a cape or on a screen. Sometimes, it’s a man who spent decades quietly changing lives—and when the moment came, gave his own to protect the people he loved most.

Dick Eastland didn’t just run a summer camp.

He built a legacy.

And in the eyes of every camper he ever cheered on, every counselor he ever encouraged, and every life he touched—he is, and always will be, a hero.

Source: foxnews