I’m sorry to hear that the distance was a killer for your relationship. But first of all, no, it’s not stupid to hope he still has feelings for you. Hope is a good thing, but at one point you DO have to stop doing it.
As for putting effort to communicate with him… It’s a tough one. Some will say; if he doesn’t put in effert why should you? But if everybody will think that way, nobody would ever talk. Someone should make the first step. Maybe he’s dying to talk to you but is scared or something.
If I were you I’d try to talk to him (if you’re ready and want to ofcourse, don’t do it if you think it is just the right thing to do). Just start off with an; “Hey, long time no spoken, how are you these days? What you been up to?” But do let him know that you’re not crawling back to him and that he can pull that stuff of again.
If after a while he’s still not putting effort into talking to you, or you have the feeling the conversation is dying when you don’t say anything, I’m afraid you’ll have to let it go.
Good luck.
T.M.W.W.K.