Healthy Heroes: Roberta Knoll

In collaboration between the Chenango County Healthy Heart Coalition and The Evening Sun, we will be running a monthly series of articles on individuals in our community who exemplify a healthy lifestyle. The Healthy Heart Coalition, whose lead agency is Chenango Memorial Hospital, has compiled a list of individuals who have made the conscious decision to live a healthy life. Whether through diet, exercise, or overcoming health related issues, these people serve as an example to us all that becoming healthy is possible for anyone. If you know someone who you would like to nominate as a Healthy Hero, contact Tyler Murphy at 337-3074 or e-mail tmurphy@evesun.com.

OXFORD – The key to a healthy lifestyle is often sought with the miraculous Fountain of Youth belief, with many hoping it can be achieved quickly and easily maintained, but Roberta Knoll of Oxford says her success in living a vibrant life was discovered through self discipline, routine and habit.

“What’s my secret? There is no secret I know of, but I know to eat modestly, stay active and how to listen to what my body is trying to tell me,” said Knoll.

The Chenango County Healthy Heart Coalition nominated the 70-year-old Oxford native to be this month’s Healthy Hero citing her excellent bill of physical health, attention to making routine medical check-ups, balanced diet and level of continued activity.

“Every year right around my birthday I’ve always tried to go and see the doctor. It’s an easy way to remember,” she said.

Knoll grew up on the family farm she now resides at on Quarry Road, nestled in an area referred to locally as the Basswood Forest. Growing up with the chores of a farmer, Knoll said she learned the value of good habits early on by getting up early, holding a steady routine and staying physically active.

Just down the road, Roberta unknowingly grew up just a short distance from her future husband, Joseph Knoll, who also labored on his family’s farm at a young age. His last name being Knoll and Roberta’s maiden name Hill, she joked, “I was a hill, but now I’m a knoll.”

The couple has been together for 50 years and will soon celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary.

Roberta graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in physical education and worked at two small rural schools outside of Oneonta area. She has also taught at the Unatego Central School District.

She later decided to become a stay at home mother to her two children, Eric and Jacquelyn, before returning to school and earning a master’s degree in early childhood development.