In Memoriam: Ralph F. Lollar (1955-2023)

BURLINGTON, N.J. – Ralph Lollar, who spent more than four decades advocating tirelessly for quality services that empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be included in the community, passed away on Christmas Day following a brief illness. He was 67.

Whether or not you had ever met Ralph, he most certainly played an important role in the work you do. If you had the fortune of knowing him, you knew Ralph both as a steady-handed professional and a kind-hearted human being who loved his family and friends fearlessly. His storied career included unrelenting advocacy—first in his home state of New Jersey and later at the federal level—for the best possible long-term care for people with disabilities and the elderly. Until his death, Ralph had served as Director of the Long-Term Services & Supports Division at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a post he held for nearly a dozen years.

During ANCOR’s Government Relations Retreat earlier this month in Baltimore—an event at which Ralph was often a featured speaker—ANCOR took a few moments in remembrance of Ralph. ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill had this to share about Ralph during her remarks: “He was open, transparent, collaborative. He was colorful, candid, kind. He served his community tirelessly, he carried out his work passionately, and he devoted himself to his family unrelentingly.” Ralph is survived by his wife, Ila, his four children and his three grandchildren.

Readers interested in learning more about Ralph’s life and legacy can read his obituary or watch Barbara’s full remarks from the Government Relations Retreat in Baltimore.

Sean Luechtefeld is Vice President, Communications at ANCOR.