Jeff Lubar, one of NAREE's most dedicated volunteers, has died in Washington, D.C. following a battle with cancer.
Services were held Wednesday, July 7, at Temple B'nai Shalom in Fairfax Station, Va. with burial in King David Cemetary in Falls Church, Va.
NAREE President Lauren Beale recently honored Lubar with the President's Award for Outstanding Service for his volunteer assistance with NAREE's annual conference in Washington, D.C. in 2009.
Lubar had also received the President's Award for Outstanding Service in 2005 when Sue Doerfler of the Arizona Republic was NAREE president.
"Jeff was instrumental in providing help with more than a half dozen NAREE conferences, working tirelessly behind the scenes, offering expertise, insight and guidance on every project. He was always fun to work with, displaying his sense of humor and compassion even on the tightest deadlines, " said Mary Doyle-Kimball executive Director of NAREE. "Jeff was a dear friend to so many NAREE members. We will all miss him more than words can express."
A NAREE member for almost a quarter of a century, Lubar had also served as NAREE's Second Vice President and served on the board of directors for several years. He was serving as head of NAREE's marketing committee at the time of his death.
Lubar was director of communications for the Mortgage Insurance Companies of America (MICA), based in Washington, D.C. He had previously been vice president of public affairs for the National Association of Realtors. Lubar also had been director of communications for HomeGain.com.
Prior to joining NAR in 1986, Lubar was Washington bureau chief of Susquehanna Broadcasting Company, a radio broadcasting group. He was a graduate of the school of communications at the American University in Washington, D.C.
"Jeff was a kind and funny man, and we were all better off for knowing him," said NAREE member Elizabeth Razzi, real estate editor at the Washington Post.
"Jeff was great guy and fantastic friend to all in NAREE. He will be sorely missed," said NAREE past president Steve Kerch, assistant managing editor for MarketWatch/Dow Jones.
ULI spokeswoman Trish Riggs formerly worked under Lubar's supervision when she was a staffer with the Realtors association years ago. "I have very fond memories of working for Jeff over the years and I know you all have great memories of him as well. He was truly one of the good guys."
"Jeff was a very special person, with a deep kindness at his core and a sense of humor even in the toughest of times," said NAREE past president Ken Harney of the Washington Post Writers Group. "All of us who worked with him will miss him."
"Jeff was a great guy, valuable colleage and a true friend. His loss leaves a hole in all our hearts," said Terry Souers of Genworth. "I'll miss him."
Lubar is survived by his wife, Barbara and three children. Donations in Lubar's memory can be made to the ASPCA or to a charity of your choice.
