Quentin Hubbard
Encyclopedia
Geoffrey Quentin McCaully Hubbard (6 January 1954 – 12 November 1976), was the son of Scientology
founder L. Ron Hubbard
and his third wife, Mary Sue Hubbard
. He died at the age of 22 in an apparent suicide.
After Ron's eldest son Ron Jr.
quit Scientology in 1959, Ron chose Quentin as his successor to lead the organization. Quentin went to sea with Ron when he established the Sea Organization, living on the flagship Apollo and reaching the highest level of auditor
training. He disagreed with his father's plans, sometimes saying that he wanted to be a pilot
, and in 1974 that he would like to be a dancer. Soon after this, a friend found him in the midst of a suicide attempt. Quentin survived this attempt and was assigned to the Rehabilitation Project Force
.
Former Scientologists have said that Quentin was homosexual, and that this clearly caused him a great deal of personal torment due to the homophobia
of the era. Scientology doctrine
classified homosexuals as "sexual pervert[s]" and "quite ill physically." Another source close to him claims that his alleged homosexuality was an act to avoid relationships that his father might not approve. Quentin is described as having had a gentle demeanor, with none of his father's bombast.
In 1975 the Sea Org moved to shore in Clearwater, Florida
. Quentin was assigned to operations there but was often absent. Police discovered him unconscious in his car in Las Vegas
on October 28, 1976, without any identifying documents. L. Ron Hubbard was furious at the news, shouting, "That stupid fucking kid! Look what he's done to me!" Quentin died two weeks later without having regained consciousness.
Although there had been a hose from the car's window to the tailpipe, a test for carbon monoxide was negative. Mrs. Hubbard told Scientologists that Quentin had died from encephalitis
. L. Ron Hubbard is said to have deteriorated rapidly after Quentin's death, becoming dishevelled and increasingly paranoid.
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
founder L. Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard , better known as L. Ron Hubbard , was an American pulp fiction author and religious leader who founded the Church of Scientology...
and his third wife, Mary Sue Hubbard
Mary Sue Hubbard
Mary Sue Hubbard was the third wife of L. Ron Hubbard, from 1952 to his death in 1986, and was a leading figure in Scientology for much of her life...
. He died at the age of 22 in an apparent suicide.
After Ron's eldest son Ron Jr.
Ronald DeWolf
Ronald Edward DeWolf , born Lafayette Ronald Hubbard, Jr., also known as "Nibs" Hubbard, was the eldest child of Scientology founder L...
quit Scientology in 1959, Ron chose Quentin as his successor to lead the organization. Quentin went to sea with Ron when he established the Sea Organization, living on the flagship Apollo and reaching the highest level of auditor
Auditing (Scientology)
Auditing was developed by L. Ron Hubbard, and is described by the Church of Scientology as "spiritual counseling which is the central practice of Dianetics and Scientology".-Description:...
training. He disagreed with his father's plans, sometimes saying that he wanted to be a pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
, and in 1974 that he would like to be a dancer. Soon after this, a friend found him in the midst of a suicide attempt. Quentin survived this attempt and was assigned to the Rehabilitation Project Force
Rehabilitation Project Force
The Rehabilitation Project Force, or RPF, is a controversial program set up by the Church of Scientology Sea Organization, intended to rehabilitate members of the Sea Organization who have not lived up to the Church expectations or have violated certain policies...
.
Former Scientologists have said that Quentin was homosexual, and that this clearly caused him a great deal of personal torment due to the homophobia
Homophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
of the era. Scientology doctrine
Homosexuality and Scientology
Scientology views of homosexuality are based on the writings of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Church of Scientology. His statements about homosexuality have given rise to assertions from critics that Scientology promotes homophobia...
classified homosexuals as "sexual pervert[s]" and "quite ill physically." Another source close to him claims that his alleged homosexuality was an act to avoid relationships that his father might not approve. Quentin is described as having had a gentle demeanor, with none of his father's bombast.
In 1975 the Sea Org moved to shore in Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
. Quentin was assigned to operations there but was often absent. Police discovered him unconscious in his car in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
on October 28, 1976, without any identifying documents. L. Ron Hubbard was furious at the news, shouting, "That stupid fucking kid! Look what he's done to me!" Quentin died two weeks later without having regained consciousness.
Although there had been a hose from the car's window to the tailpipe, a test for carbon monoxide was negative. Mrs. Hubbard told Scientologists that Quentin had died from encephalitis
Encephalitis
Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis with meningitis is known as meningoencephalitis. Symptoms include headache, fever, confusion, drowsiness, and fatigue...
. L. Ron Hubbard is said to have deteriorated rapidly after Quentin's death, becoming dishevelled and increasingly paranoid.