Eastland’s children are also integral to Camp Mystic’s operations: Richard Eastland, their eldest son, serves as head chef and runs the dining hall; Edward Eastland, the young

Eastland, 70, was the camp director and bought the camp in 1974. When floodwaters swept through his Christen summer camp, he tried to save the lives of his young campers and gave his life in the process, Fox News reported. Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) wrote of Eastland’s devotion to the camp.

Camp staff went to bed following what seemed like routine flood warnings. Within hours, they were fighting for survival. “Chaos struck almost instantaneously.”