Stayner pharmacist takes time for family
Robert Knapper says after 41 years as a pharmacist it is time to step out from behind the counter and spend quality time with his family.
The New Lowell area resident has spent the last 15 years as the pharmacist working in the Stayner Medical Centre.
He said he’s not quite sure what led him to be become a pharmacist other than he wanted to help people.
“I thought it would be a good fit for me since I’m a people guy anyway,” said Knapper. “It just evolved into where I am now.”
After graduating from the faculty of pharmacy at University of Toronto, Knapper worked in Barrie at Allendale Drugs. But after working 70 hours a week for two decades, and in search of a little more work-life balance, Knapper opened a little store in the Stayner Medical Centre.
Having grown up as a farm kid in Grey County, Knapper said he wanted to get back to that small town feel.
“I risked it all, cashed in everything and opened a little store,” said Knapper.
He had three young sons that he didn’t get to see as often as he’d like so in 2010, he said, he convinced the medical centre staff to let him have a two-year trial and five years later there was an expansion that provided the pharmacy a dedicated space. Knapper said he has seen so many changes during his four decades as a pharmacist, with the profession being able to prescribe for minor ailments and administer vaccines being the most recent.
“We have a lot more professional responsibilities and freedoms going forward,” said Knapper. “We are a much bigger part of the healthcare team. We are the accessible part of the health team, to get the ball rolling and intercept issues – troubleshooting.” The challenges include more bureaucracy and more labour for less of a return, which he said is an issue across the board in healthcare.
He said he won’t miss that but he will miss the community and the clientele.
“They have been very good and very supportive of me. I’m forever grateful for that,” said Knapper, adding that he has been very lucky. “It’s hard to leave but it’s just time.”
As for how he will spend his time, Knapper said, “I’m planning on not being a slave to the clock. I’m going to enjoy my family a little bit more. I’m still trying to figure out exactly what I’m going to do but I’ll keep myself busy.”
He said he has lots of jobs to do around the house with the help of his wife Cindy, and sons Brandon, Zachery and Lucas, all in their 20s, and all in the construction industry in one field or another.
The new owner at Pharmasave in Stayner is Kevin Yang.
Knapper posted on Facebook, “Please be aware that my outstanding support team of April and Kim will be staying on to help the new owner Kevin to get acquainted with the good people of Stayner and surrounding area. So I leave you in very capable hands.”
