Lafayette Ronald Hubbard ( March 13 , 1911 -- January 24 , 1986 ) , better known as L. Ron Hubbard ( [ ɛl_rɒn_ˈhʌˌbərd ] ) and often referred to by his initials , LRH , was an American author and the founder of the Church of Scientology . In 1986 , he died at age 74 in a 1982 Blue Bird motor home , which was situated on his property .
L. Ron Hubbard died in September 1986.