Rogers Park is proud to be home to one of the Chicago's most reputable moving and storage companies, Burrows Moving Co. 6542 North Clark. www.burrowsmoving.com This month, we feature the owner of the business, Walter Burrows, who I found to be a free thinking, soulful man (and also an artist) www.burrowsartgalleries.com. Walter Burrows has a long standing affection for the Rogers Park community.

Where were you born and raised?
I was raised in this area. My father Sam was a prominent doctor for fifty Years. He owned his own hospital, The Burrows Hospital and my mother Peggy was a well known Chicago artist. They had eight children in nine years. I have a fraternal twin sister, Jane. We grew up at 5820 N. Sheridan Rd.in Chicago. I left school at seventeen and joined the Navy in 1959. I was stationed in nine countries in four years.

What happed in and after the Navy?
I was a Deck Seaman and Helmsman aboard the USSSaint Paul CA-73, the Flag Ship of the 7th Fleet. I was Honorably discharged just before my 21st birthday in Aug. 1963. After the Navy I became a seeker. I wanted to find my purpose and know God. I studied metaphysics, moved to California. I didn't know what I wanted. I was good in chess and played with chess master Bobby Fisher. I got involved with the protests and peace demonstrations and I was arrested with the Berkley students in a protest. Out in California, I joined a Commune, but left after I learned all I could from them and I moved on. My Mother called us Crackpots! I continued to be hungry for answers to life's big questions. This led me to reading the whole Bible several times and studying Buddhism and Metaphysics and Spiritualism. I wrote a book about the bible called," Scriptures to be considered."

How did you get involved with moving?
It was 1966 back in Chicago. The moving company was Pickens Kane. I worked 60-70 hours a week driving and packing and moving pianos... I became a professional Mover, Crew Chief. I worked for many major moving companies in the area. Moving is a science. It is all about problem solving. I have been a mover for forty years. I got married for the first time at 29 years of age. It lasted for nine months.

Walter, any advice about marriage?
I have been married two times. This last time, my wife Diana and I've been married twenty-nine years. We have two wonderful grown children, Dersu and Cassandra and a grand daughter, Ursula Burrows, born March 12, 2006.For a marriage to be happy, I believe both people have to be happy and content with themselves first and be able to stand on their own feet and the other person the same.

What was a turning point in your life?
At thirty-one, I drove across country for a year in my first truck a 16 wheeler, big tractor-trailer. I jackknifed my truck, crawled out the front window, came back to Chicago and started my own moving co. Burrows Moving Co. I began to write down my dreams and goals no matter how crazy. That was twenty-eight years ago,I started Burrows Moving Company out of my apartment with one van. Today,Burrows Moving Co owns nine trucks, numerous vans and a warehouse.

What is something most people don't know about you?
I am committed to excellence! I am a visionary, an artist, a dreamer; I have a great wife and life and couldn't be happier. I am also a martial arts student of tae kwon-do. I plan to retire from Burrows Moving Co on Aug. 22, 2007 at the age of 65. I will still be around as a consultant. Phase 2 in my life I will be an artist, writer, motivational speaker and photographer... A few words of wisdom for all is, " I am responsible! " " Go and get what you want! " " Keep Moving! " " Keep smiling all day long. " " Love is the Answer! " Walter Palmer Burrows