Some parallels in the story of Waterman and Chris are how Waterman left his family without warning and did what he wanted to in the wilderness.
Some differences between the stories of Waterman and Chris are when Waterman tried to run for the local school board meaning he tried to do something big an obvious while Chris tried to stay out of sight and quiet.
The purpose of the Chris McCunn serves in the narrative to show that there are other people that are like Chris. Chris isn’t the first person to leave his given life for a new life that is way out of his lead.