W. Hayden, 85; Entrepreneur, Philanthropist

William Rube Hayden, the founder of Shopping Bag Food Stores and a San Marino philanthropist, has died of natural causes. He was 85.

Hayden died Saturday at Santa Teresita Hospital in Duarte, one of the major long-term beneficiaries of his philanthropy.

Among Hayden’s innovative gifts to the hospital was a child-care center for its employees in 1967, long before employers considered such centers important.

Born in Fancy Farm, Ky., Hayden began his entrepreneurial career by working in his father’s general store.

In 1926, Hayden and his wife, Virginia, drove their Model T Ford to California, carrying less than $100 between them. Within four years, Hayden and an associate, W. D. Rorex, had founded Shopping Bag Markets.

The chain had expanded to 38 markets by the time it was sold to Vons in 1961. Hayden became a vice-president of Vons and served on its board of directors until 1972.

As Hayden built his fortune, he became a major contributor to several institutions, including Santa Teresita Hospital, the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, the Little Sisters of the Poor and their home for the aged, St. John of God Nursing Hospital, the Passionist Fathers’ Retreat, Loyola and Mayfield schools and the University of Santa Clara.

“Dad used to say, ‘The Lord has been good to us. We have to be good to others,’ ” said his son, Stanley.

Hayden was a knight commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great and a knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, two ancient Catholic honors granted by the Pope for distinguished service to the poor.

In addition to Hayden’s wife and son, survivors include four grandchildren, one brother and four sisters.

The family has asked that memorial donations be made to Santa Teresita Hospital, 1210 Royal Oaks Drive, Duarte 91010.