I have been mildly overweight and out of shape for 25+ years and in my short time riding, the hills sometimes and usually kill me. My road bike came with a triple. My next bike will come with a compact.
I refer to the smallest sprocket on the front as my surrender sprocket. When I have to go to that I feel shame at having to surrender to the hill. The more I ride, the less I see a need to have it. But, it is nice to have when I want to keep going.
Like I said, next bike... Compact.