Knoebels owner, wife, honored for bettering amusement resort while hurdling personal obstacles

ELYSBURG - It's common for Knoebels Amusement Resort to win its share of accolades as part of Amusement Today's annual "Golden Ticket Awards."

Such was the case for the latest round of tributes from the industry publication, for which Knoebels won second in the "Best Park" category, among others, in national voting.

Still, the awards presentation held over Labor Day weekend at Legoland Amusement Park in Carlsbad, Calif., was more personal for the Knoebel family this year. In an announcement that took the local couple by surprise, Dick and Barbara Knoebel were named Amusement Today's Persons of the Year, and they were greeted with thunderous applause and a standing ovation from their amusement park peers when called to the stage to accept the honor.

They were also duped - with good reason, of course - by their sons in getting to California in the first place.

"Barbara and I were dumbstruck, humbled and awed," Dick Knoebel said Monday in recounting the moment.

The honor paid tribute to not only the Knoebels' well-regarded efforts to keep their Elysburg amusement resort among the best in the nation, but also their determination to overcome recent personal struggles that have challenged their lives.

The set-up

Dick Knoebel, president and co-general manager of Knoebels along with his brother, Ron "Buddy" Knoebel, said he and Barbara had no plans to attend the Golden Tickets this year. It's common for Knoebels to be represented by different members of the family or staff.

Shortly before Labor Day weekend, however, their sons' Rick and Brian, told them to drop their plans to vacation at a friend's beach house in Ocean City, N.J., and head west instead.

"They told us we were going to the awards in California," Knoebel said.

Though not yet suspicious, they would get another surprise once in California. Dick Knoebel described how he was trying to get in touch with Rick to discuss a piece of equipment for the park.

"I discussed this equipment with Rick before and wanted to talk to him about it while I was looking at it," he said. "But I called his cell phone and he didn't answer; then I called his house. His wife was stammering and trying to come up with an answer."

Finally, she told him that Rick - and Brian - were in California with them.

Two days later at the awards dinner, still unaware of the "Persons of the Year" distinction, Knoebel happily accepted awards for best carousel and best food. Discussing the latter, he said he used his common refrain in addressing the crowd: "The food has to be good, I eat here."

'Talking about us'

Knoebel recalled how, at the end of the ceremony, Amusement Today publisher Gary Spade was on stage to announce the "Person of the Year Award." As he spoke, all the weird happenings came into focus.

"About halfway through, we realized he was talking about us," Knoebel said.

In addition to the standing ovation, the Knoebels received well wishes from a number of attendees after the ceremony.

In the magazine, Slade wrote about the couple, saying:

"Some things were just made to go together, and sometimes those matching bookends can be found in the people behind the scenes, running an amusement park.

"Such is the case for Dick and Barbara Knoebel. Two people made for one another. Two people who not only work 100-hour weeks to keep the Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pa. running in tip-top shape, but recently battled the odds to keep each other running in tip-top shape.

"In the spring of 2008, Barbara was diagnosed with cancer and many tests later was found to have cancerous spots in four other parts of her body. Chemotherapy led to many complications that left her ill, mentally exhausted and completely drained. With Dick by her side every step of the way, Barbara underwent radiation therapy and later a completely different kind of chemo. Through all this she managed to read the staffing sheets for catering, the schedules for ticket sellers and correspondence with suppliers. Although she is not cancer free, her most recent CAT scan did not show cancer in two of the previous areas. Great news!

"During the winter months, Dick fell down an ice-covered stairway and broke his ankle. Refusing a cast, he opted for a bandage and crutches so he could continue his duties at the park and his duties at home with Barbara. Dick and Barbara Knoebel are a match made for one another and Amusement Today's selection as our 2009 Persons of the Year."

Credit to staff

In addition to the Persons of the Year and second in "Best Park," Knoebels won fourth in "Friendliest Park," third in "Best Dark Ride" and third for "Best Halloween Event." The Phoenix finished fourth in balloting for the top 50 wooden rollercoasters.

For all of the attention paid to the park and the Knoebel family, Dick Knoebel was quick to pass credit onto others.

"We are always honored to receive the awards, and know that none of them would be possible without the assistance of our staff," he said.

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