P.E. MacAllister, an Indianapolis business executive who oversaw construction of the Hoosier Dome, served key roles in the mayoral campaigns of Richard Lugar and William Hudnut, and established a national competition for opera singers, died Wednesday. He was 101.

His efforts extended widely to his business, his church, his alma mater and his city.

"I haven't seen a tribute so far that's captured each of his contributions," said Purdue University President and former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who noted that he had known MacAllister for about 50 years. "All of the growth and improvement in Indianapolis had his fingerprints on it somewhere."

Pershing Edwin MacAllister, known as P.E., served as chairman of the board at MacAllister Machinery Co. and earned numerous awards for his accomplishments in business and his service to the community. In 2014 he received Indiana’s highest honor, the Sachem Award, from then-Gov. Mike Pence. The award is given to those with a lifetime of excellence and moral virtue.

“P.E. MacAllister was a titanic figure in Indiana Republican politics and was one of my first political supporters and a lifelong friend and mentor,” Pence said in a written statement. “He wasn’t just a mentor to me but was a mentor to an entire generation of great conservative leaders. P.E.’s true memorial is a strong and vibrant city of Indianapolis.”

In an IndyStar op-ed article written in honor of MacAllister’s 100th birthday, longtime friend Robert Vane called him one of modern Indianapolis' founding fathers and a man some considered "our capital's greatest living citizen."

"Modern Indianapolis just simply doesn't exist without P.E.'s presence," Vane said in an interview Thursday.

'He was a man of humility'

MacAllister was a past president of the Capital Improvement Board and oversaw construction of the Indiana Convention Center and the Hoosier Dome.

Jim Morris, vice chairman of Pacers Sports Entertainment, described MacAllister as a close friend.

“He was a remarkable person," Morris said, "and in many ways might be considered one or the most influential business leaders of our community for the last 50-plus years.”

MacAllister, Morris said, helped lead the revitalization of Downtown.

“He felt a calling to make things better," Morris said. "He was a man of humility and just a generally good guy and a wonderful human."

MacAllister also served as campaign treasurer for Richard Lugar’s two mayoral elections, campaign chairman for William Hudnut’s mayoral elections, and was chairman of Hudnut's campaign for Congress.

“The greatness of P.E. is that he was not one thing, he was many things," Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a written statement. "A veteran, a businessman, a civic leader, and a philanthropist — his impact on our community cannot be overstated. Over the course of P.E.’s life, our city rapidly evolved and much of the vibrancy we enjoy today is a direct reflection of P.E.’s generosity and vision.”

Kevin Brinegar, Indiana Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, said MacAllister was a part of a group of business and government leaders who had a greater vision for Central Indiana. He said MacAllister helped build a spirit of cooperation between government and business.

"It’s a tremendous loss," Brinegar said. "He was a gentlemen’s gentlemen and someone who gave back tremendously on a lot of different levels."

A great fan of opera

MacAllister was president of the Indianapolis Opera Co. and established the MacAllister Awards for Opera Singers. His interest in opera dated back to his childhood in Wisconsin where he would pay 10 cents to attend performances, according to IndyStar archives.

He was a member of the board of trustees of Carroll College, now Carroll University, his alma mater in Wisconsin. He also served as an elder, deacon and trustee of the Northminster Presbyterian Church.

“I’m thankful for the impact this veteran, educator, corporate titan and all around Renaissance man left on Hoosiers and the world," Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a written statement. "He was a man of deep faith and compassion with a heart for Indiana.”

Service to family and country

MacAllister was born Aug. 30, 1918, in Oconto, Wisconsin, to Edwin W. and Hilda MacAllister, according to the Indiana Historical Society.

His father, a World War I veteran, named him Pershing after Gen. John Joseph “Black Jack” Pershing. MacAllister graduated from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, with a major in history and minors in English and speech.

After college he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. During World War II he served in Europe and Africa and achieved the rank of captain. He was discharged in 1945.

On May 17, 1945, MacAllister married Rebecca Cochran. The couple moved to Indianapolis, where their three daughters and one son were born.

That same year MacAllister went to work for his father at MacAllister Tractor Co., the Allis Chalmers Caterpillar dealer for much of the state.

He worked his way up from packing parts to working as a mechanic, a promotion manager and a sales representative. He became president of MacAllister Machinery in 1952 while his father served as chairman of the board and his younger brother, Dave, was vice president.

Rebecca passed away in January 2001. On Aug. 30, 2003, MacAllister's 85th birthday, he married Fran Downing. She died on Dec. 8, 2017.

Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at 317-444-6138. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.

Contact IndyStar reporter Alexandria Burris at aburris@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @allyburris.