Meet Our Staff

Robert W. Pollard

Managing Partner

Bob was born in Salem, having been raised in a funeral service family. He graduated from Andrew Lewis High School and John Tyler Community College with an Associate's Degree in Applied Science/Funeral Service, starting his career in 1972. He was named Managing Partner of Lotz Salem Chapel in 1993.

He is an active member, board member and Past President of Salem Rotary Club; a member of Salem Rescue Squad Businessman’s Advisory Committee; an active board member and Past President of the Salem/Roanoke Chamber of Commerce; a member of Virginia Institute of Funeral Professionals; a member and Past President of Blue Ridge Funeral Directors Association; and a member, board member, Past President Salem/ Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Foundation. He coached youth soccer in Salem for over 16 years, was a founding member of Valley Youth Hockey Association, and is the former Chairman Salem School Board Business Advisory Committee.

He has been married for 42 years to Denise W. Pollard and has a son, Matthew J. Pollard; a daughter, Tracy D. Hale; and four grandchildren, Mason, Maclin, Claire & Graham.

Kyle N. Emerich II

Funeral Director

Kyle is a native of East Branch, New York. He graduated from Downsville Central School and Fayetteville Technical Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science/Funeral Service. He worked as a funeral director with Rich & Thompson Funeral Service for 12 years serving families in the Burlington, NC area. Kyle joined the team at Lotz Funeral Home in November of 2018 and is thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of Salem and surrounding areas.

He has been married for 10 years to his wife Lindsay and they have three children, Landon, Noah and Claire. Kyle and his family attend New Hope Christian Church in Roanoke. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Salem, VA. He enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with his family.

Email: 

Sandra H. Calhoun

Office Manager

Sandra Calhoun has been a lifetime resident of the Roanoke Valley.

Her employment began with Lotz Funeral Home Salem in 2010. Previous employment included many years in Human Resources.

She is very involved in her church, where she has been a lifetime member. She is blessed to be one of seven children and also blessed to be an aunt and great-aunt to many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

“Life is a gift.“

John Darden (J.D.) Gibson

Funeral Director

In Loving Memroy of J.D. Gibson

1933 - 2014

Funeral Director Emeritus

With Over 50 Years of Service in the Salem Community

Linda Mills

Hostess

Linda is a lifelong resident of the Roanoke Valley. She has been working for Lotz Funeral Home for seven years.  Linda is retired from General Electric in Salem, Virginia.

Jeff Shively

Host

Jeff is a lifelong resident of the Roanoke Valley. He has been working for Lotz Funeral Home for nine years. He formerly had a career in the local healthcare industry.

Kevin Keffer

Host

Kevin is a lifelong resident of the Roanoke Valley. He has been working for Lotz Funeral Home for two years. Kevin works in the building trade in the Roanoke Valley.

Lawrence Keffer

Host

Lawrence is a resident of the Salem. He has been working with Lotz since 2016. He is retired from Salem Fire-EMS.  

Will Andrews

Host

Will is a lifelong resident of the Roanoke Valley. He has been working for Lotz Funeral Home for two years. He is retired from the banking industry.

Bob Lanier

Host

Bob is a lifelong resident of the Roanoke Valley. He has been working for Lotz Funeral Home for six years. He is a retired minister of Riverdale Baptist Church in Roanoke, Virginia.

Jimmy Morris

Host

Jimmy is a lifelong resident of the Roanoke Valley. He has been working for Lotz Funeral Home for five years. He is a pastor at Mountain View Christian Church in New Castle, Virginia.

Dallas G. Hedge, Sr.

Host

Dallas is a longtime resident of the Roanoke Valley. He was been working for Lotz since 2017. He is retired from Hedge Metal Company, and most recently Layman Candy Company.