Longtime Haines mechanic Bob Lowden, 64, died Nov. 16 of prostate cancer at a hospice care home in Wasilla. His sister Sandra Bunn was at his side.
   Lowden came to Haines in 1987 with former wife Cheryl Mullins and her daughter, whom he adopted. They managed the Ten Mile Steakhouse before Lowden began working on cars at several garages. He earned a solid reputation, leased a shop, and then built Bushmaster Proformance Automotive Inc., with Mullins.
         Norm Smith praised Lowden’s skill. ^He was both the Click and the Clack of ‘Car Talk.’ He knew more about cars than anyone I’d ever met.^” After Lowden rebuilt Smith’s 40-year-old Lincolnhe’d call Smitha local radio deejayand request ^”Hot Rod Lincoln.^”