The patriarch of philanthrophy and baseball in the Northstate has passed away. Steve Nettleton who founded the Food-4-Less grocery store chain and turned that idea into a multi-million dollar business. While he is known for being the city of Chico's biggest baseball fan his works, deeds and contributions in the philanthropic community will have an even a larger impact. Nettleton's charitable spirit exemplified with his generous donations to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chico as well as the American Red Cross, American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America, United Way, Salvation Army, and Chico State University. Nettleton's love for baseball culminated in bringing professional baseball to Chico where he started the Chico Heat franchise in 1997. Nettleton then built the university a baseball stadium which still bears his name. The California State University system honored Nettleton with an honorary degree for personal and professional achievements and his meritorius contributions to society. Nettleton was 79 and is survived by his wife Kathy