CHRIS'S LIFE

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 Chris Boyer was 26 years old when on October 29, 2005 he took his own life after a private battle with the disease of depression.

Chris attended elementary and high school at Neillsville, Wisconsin participating in wrestling from kindergarten thru graduation and played a number of years on the football team. He continued his education at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, Wisconsin graduating with a degree in Criminal Science. He then further trained in Green Bay for Correction Officer and worked for the State of Wisconsin at the Racine Youthful Offender Corrections in Racine, Red Granite Correction Facility and finally Stanley Corrections Facility at the time of his death. Chris was active within the Union serving as a steward and was an original board member as Stanley Correctional formed their union. He loved God’s creations. Chris participated in recreational 4-wheeling, fishing, deer and bear hunting and many other activities with his family and friends. Although, his greatest love was riding his Harley. Chris enjoyed life and commented a number of times that he was the most comfortable while riding his motorcycle.

Those closest to Chris saw only glimpses of the pain and agony he suffered. Chris strived to keep a smile on his face and make those around him laugh even when he was silently hurting.

Over 30,000 lives each year are lost to suicide in the United States alone. Suicide is more common in the United States than homicide. Unfortunately less that one-third of people that suffer from depression seek help yet 80% of those that do are successfully treated.

Family and long-time close friends have joined to remember Chris with an annual benefit to support a scholarship for protective services and programs that raise the awareness and reduce the stigma associated with depression and suicide. Our hope is to better the lives of those affected by the disease of depression and its devastating effects.