Depending on the day and the weather, customers at the Pacific Beach post office were often greeted by Rod Mullen selling long-stem carnations outside the front doors.
Following his death Wednesday, Oct. 24, due to health complications, friends hung a photo in the parking lot announcing his passing. He was 52.
He suffered from ankylosis spondylitis, a degenerative arthritis that eventually causes the vertebrae in the spine and neck to fuse together. The disease eventually began to affect his legs. He had his knees replaced and was learning how to walk again in 2003 when they became infected and doctors had to amputate both of his legs.
Along with selling flowers and collecting signatures for petitions, Rod owned and managed property. He oversaw the renovation of a duplex in City Heights before selling it in 1998. He used the profits from the sale to buy a home in Alpine. He spent eight years in Alpine, commuting to Pacific Beach to sell flowers and attend services as a monk at the Hare Krishna Temple on Grand Avenue.
He also founded a newsletter titled “Krishna Kids” featuring puzzles, contests and art to engage children in Krishna spirituality.
He eventually moved into an apartment on Grand Avenue near Dawes Street to be close to the temple and the customers he greeted at the post office.
According to friend Greg Bechtol, “He touched the lives of many hundreds and thousands of people here in San Diego County and he said to thank everyone for their love and support over the years and especially those in PB. His final request was to tell his friends and well-wishers ‘thank you and to try this Hare Krishna mantra a little every day.'”