jonzfriend (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

Chris was something else indeed...Watching the other staid, formal, inhibited members of the sport's faces alone was worth saving this clip.Remember him this way. It's what he would want.

Piccolopiero (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

Yes...Serge's wonderful smile breakes my heart....

mhughes72 (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

Christopher was a tortured genius who was ahead of his time in his sport. Tragically, he was unable to grow into productive adulthood due to bipolar disorder that went undiagnosed unbelievably too long. Chris, I hope you are able to see my Mom in heaven and to recognize what you meant to us all. Skate in Peace.....Mary Hughes, your dear friend in Rhode Island

szqsk8 (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

Oh Bowman the Showman. He was always my favorite! RIP Chris.

sugoiso (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

yes, his mother shouldn't have done that...it hurts! esp he was just a kid that time.

SweetSpot70 (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

I couldn't have said this better myself!

ZakSF (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

It IS true. I skated several times at Culver City rink when he was like 11-12. And yes, his mother used to hit him with his skate guards and tell him what a worthless peice of shit he was. I can't believe his mother is still alive. She was a TOTAL BITCH to him. I saw it for myself.God bless Chris. He deserves peace FINALLY.I'll remember him not just for the great skater he was but also for the really nice person he was.R.I.P. Chris.

novembermiss (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

What a talent! And how even more heartbreaking to read the comments on his mother being so abusive to him when he was young. Her was her only child. Not hard to see why he used drugs, at least in part, as a means of escape, of coping with emotional pain. RIP, Christopher--you were loved by many.

car22car (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."

car22car (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

Christopher Bowman's tragic and untimely death can be attributed, in large part, to the stigma associated with mental illness and the consequent widespread ignorance of behaviors that indicate the presence of bipolar disorder, a brain chemistry imbalance. Had Christopher been properly diagnosed much earlier in life, there's no doubt that his life would have played out in a much different and infinitely better way than it has. May his death not be in vain.