Rufus died instantly on June 12, 1967 when he failed to negotiate a curve on Dennison grade and plunged to the bottom of a deep canyon.

"Young Hubler was attending the University of the Pacific in Stockton. He had been graduated from Nordhoff High school in June 1964 with honors. School principal John Taylor recalled Hubler as a quiet, scholarly youth with a keen interest in a variety of fields. During his high school days, Hubler playd golf and basketball, but his main interest was in journalism. Taylor said he was a staff member on the school's Topa Topa and Ranger Record publications, but still found time to pursue his hobby of rock-hounding.

Young Hubler was formerly an American Field Service exchange student AFS, in 1964, an honor that enabled him to spend a summer in Germany. He was also student body president at Nordhoff High school.

He leaves his father, Richard Hubler; and stepmother Mrs. Richard Hubler both of Ojai; Mrs Helen Mathieson, of New Mexico; brother Michael Hubler, stationed with the U.S. Marine Corps; stepsister, Mrs. Ann Coleman, of San Diego; and stepbrother, Lewis Bremer, of Ojai."  Report from a June 27, 1967 newspaper article.