David Radcliffe was seen by those who knew him as a man of quiet strength who doted on his family and a stalwart friend who loved to laugh.

His former business partner and close friend, Mike Adkinson, reflected Thursday on the vastness of the loss of Radcliffe, a talented designer and builder, not just to family and friends but to the community.

Radcliffe, 58, was working along with Greg Gillum, 38, on a home on Silver Creek Drive in Alger last Tuesday when they were shot to death by a man police believe may have been responsible for six killings that day.

“He was one of the kindest, quietest people I’ve ever known; he would approach people in that fashion,” Adkinson said. “He was just always open to other people ... a solid person who was well grounded in terms of priorities.”

Although he had a sociology degree from the University of Washington, Radcliffe chose to become a builder, and a fine one, Adkinson said.

Radcliffe and his wife, Pamela, have lived for many years in Clear Lake, where their home on more than five acres reflects their love of plants and landscaping, Adkinson said.

For most of his working life, Radcliffe operated his own construction business, building and remodeling homes. He also worked for many years with Adkinson’s company building quality log homes.

The log home business was eventually phased out, but the friendship endured.

“When you had David for a friend and he said he was going to do something for you, you could count on it,” Adkinson said.

Adkinson Thursday acted somewhat as a buffer between Radcliffe’s grieving family and the media.

The family put out a statement Thursday that said, in part:

“David was a peaceful, deeply intelligent, and creative man whose strength and stability was a blessing to all of the many friends and family who loved him. His passing is a huge loss for this community.”

The last day Adkinson saw his friend alive was about two weeks ago, he said. The two had tied for first in a golf tournament over in Oak Harbor. Adkinson said they were lucky to be “two old guys” teamed up with some young “long ball hitters.”

Adkinson acknowledged that he was the weak link in the foursome.

“David was a good golfer,” he said. “He was good in every aspect of the game.”

On that same day, the two threw their arms around each other.

“We hugged each other tight,” Adkinson said. “Two guys hugging each other there by the roadside as cars passed by. We weren’t embarrassed at all.”