HOUSTON — A devastating incident in the Texas Hill Country has left a high-profile Houston attorney mourning the loss of his wife, Mollie Schaffer, who was among the more than 120 victims of the floods that struck on the 4th of July.
Randy Schaffer, a well-known figure in the legal community, revealed that the couple had been in Hunt, Texas, to reunite with law school friends. They were staying at the River Inn, located on the banks of the Guadalupe River, when a sudden flash flood caught everyone off guard overnight.
According to Schaffer, the weather had been perfectly fine when they went to bed on Thursday night. However, their tranquility was shattered when the hotel manager knocked on their door at 3:00 a.m. on Friday morning, urgently advising them to evacuate immediately due to the imminent overflow of the river’s banks.
Peering out of their window, Schaffer described seeing the river rushing violently, reminiscent of Niagara Falls. The manager recommended that the guests drive to the top of the nearby hill for safety.
Sadly, this would become a tragic decision for the Schaffers. Schaffer expressed on Facebook that the hotel manager should have directed guests to a two-story building at the parking lot’s base, where they had a chance to shelter on the upper floor, ultimately saving their lives.
Moments later, the manager unlocked the building, and other guests were able to find refuge upstairs.
As the couple attempted to evacuate toward the hill, they saw other vehicles turning back in response to the rising waters, but by that time, it was too late for them. Water soon engulfed their car.
Schaffer recalled how their vehicle began to float and collided with a tree, spinning onto the road. Realizing the peril they were in, the couple knew they had to escape from the car.
The doors of the vehicle, however, would not budge. In a desperate effort to save themselves, they both tried to exit through the windows. Schaffer recounted his struggle, saying that he initially could not get out due to the positioning of his seat.
Mollie’s last words to him were, “You have to push harder.” Taking her words to heart, Schaffer mustered all his strength and finally managed to escape through the window, only to be swept underwater by the powerful current.
With no control over his body, he prepared for what he thought was his final moment. Just before being carried away, Schaffer spotted a pole and managed to climb it, pulling himself above the water’s surface.
In the dark, uncertain waters, he searched for Mollie and their car, but could not find either. As the water continued to rise, he clung to the pole until the floodwaters began to recede. Once the danger abated, he ventured to cross the road, desperate to locate his wife.
Sadly, Mollie’s body was recovered by searchers on Sunday. Schaffer identified her through a photo of her ring that night.
In his emotional tribute, Schaffer reflected on Mollie’s selfless nature, stating, “Mollie died in a manner consistent with how she lived—selflessly taking care of someone else before she took care of herself. She wouldn’t leave the car until she was sure that I had done so.”
He expressed profound sorrow over her loss, emphasizing, “She saved my life. It wasn’t my day to die. I wish that it hadn’t been hers.”
The couple had met shortly after their high school graduation in 1967 and had shared a life filled with love, raising two sons and welcoming several grandchildren together.
Kent, Schaffer’s brother and a fellow attorney, paid his respects to Mollie on social media, reminding everyone of her kind-hearted spirit and affection for others, which was a hallmark of her character.
In the wake of this heartbreaking tragedy, the Schaffer family and the community mourn the profound loss of a beloved wife, mother, and friend.
image source from：khou
