> That is when you are in the office someone from marketing can see you in the hallway and ask about the hot new feature of today without invoking all the formal channels to take to the guy remotely.

By that logic anyone who doesn't want to partake alcohol-infused after works the company arranges needs not to bother. Or anyone who brings their own lunch while the rest of the department goes out for lunch. Or anyone who doesn't like small talk. Anyone with those preferences would not be "staying in touch" in exactly the same way as the remote worker.