Police Rule No Foul Play in Death of Dr. Bruce Pancake

I know that my entry is really late but I would like to add to this in honor of my uncle.
He was indeed a great man and cared for his family so much. I remember coming up for the summer and having the best times of my life. He always had this thing about him that always made myself and my sister(Mary Pancake) smile. When we were little he used to always give us 20 dollars a piece and promised to take us to Toys R Us later. But when we finally went and decided what we wanted and were ready to pay, he always had us keep the money and payed for it himself. I mean, there was one time I remember that I had to return my toy like 3-4 times and he did it with a smile on his face.

He was the coolest uncle ever! And to my cousins and aunt Debbie, i love you all so much and we will all pull through this together. That's what us Pancakes do right! And for all the kind words everyone has posted about my uncle, Thank You. And for all the false accusations against my uncle...please keep them to yourselves. We have enough to deal with already...besides finding more BS against a member of our family. But, I don't hate any of you..I'm praying for you.

Thank you again...everybody.

~Christopher Pancake and Mary Grace Pancake

I was saddened to hear about the passing of Dr. Pancake. May his heart be lifted and unburdened. He will always be smiling upon us.

As a medical school classmate of Bruce's, I was shocked and sadden by the news of his death. My prayers and condolences to Debbie and his daughters.
J.C. DeWane M.D. Memphis, Tn.

To the family of Dr Pancake, My family would like to send out our sympathy to your family in your time of grief. I had considered having a procedure done by him, but kept putting it off. I am now sorry that I did not have it done for the simple fact I never got to meet this man everyone seems to care so much about. But your family will be in our prayers, and I pray that God will give you all strength to endure. Romans 8:28

To the family and staff of Dr. Pancake, I am truely sorry for your loss. My girlfriend is part of the staff that worked at the phoenix center, and she has always had said had something great to say about him. When i heard the news of his passing, it absolutely crushed me. I never had the privilage of meeting him, but i know that he would have shown me nothing but kindness courtesy. I know how close everyone was to him and my thoughts and prayers are with all of the family and te staff. May God be with you in your time of need and just remember that he is in better place with no worry, pain, or frustration. I will always be touched by the generosity the he gave to so many patients as well as his staff. He and his family will always be in my thoughts and prayers and i know the bad publicity will eventually be put to rest. He was such a tremendous doctor, and i know he will always be truely missed.

When I heard the news, it brought me to the floor. Bruce was not only a friend, but a mentor, and a great father to his daughters. I have known Bruce now for quiet sometime and he was always wearing a smile no matter what was going on. I can still remember times I would have questions or just need to talk. I would knock on his office door and he would literally stop whatever he was doing just to chat. Always included all of his friends too in everything he did. My heart goes out to Debbie and the girls as well. I can still remember the first time I met him he was telling me about all of his daughters great success. To be honest I had never met someone who was so proud of his family. It was crazy because I would see people that were so rude to him at times whether they were jealous or just had an issue. Bruce would brush it off and still smile at them. This was a quality that he taught me very early in our friendship. What amazed me was I was just a little kid when we first met and I was treated like an adult. I never felt he put himself above anyone. So many great qualities I could go on and on.

I want to end this saying Bruce, you will be missed and never forgotten. This I promise. May my prayers and thoughts be with your family and friends. Thanks for everything you did in my life and others, as I know it was greatly appreciated. I will miss you.

I am a former employee of Dr Pancake, and I can honestly say that I have never worked for a more kind compassionate doctor. He not only cared for his patients, he cared about his employees. When I decided to move on to another position after only working for him a year, he actually took time to call me on the weekend to talk to me about my decision and make sure that is what I wanted to do. He worried that he had somehow made me unhappy. I have never met a doctor who cared so much for a receptionist, and probably never will. He was a great man with a loving heart who was so proud of his family. May God wrap his arms around all of you at this time and soothe you with his peace.

I never met any of you, but I am touched by the kind words about this very kind and giving man. He sounds alot like my father and he died young as well. I can tell you that I have first hand experience with ruthless, aggressive prosecutors on medical boards who will stop at NOTHING in order to promote their own careers. They take the lives of hard working and caring physicians, who might make a mistake, and ruin them by bringing these senseless...sometimes fraudulent allegations and charges. Just go to the website of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons and you will see the most egregious stories...it happened to a family member and his life is in shambles as a result of an overly zealous New York medical Board prosecutor.

Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers and God is Powerful. Dr. Pancake is in a place whee no one can hurt him now.

Sincerely, Penny

My only exposure to Dr. Pancake over the years was to see his television commercials in the area. He seemed like such a kind, compassionate person; I'm sure he did a tremendous amount of good for his fellow man.
This is truly a tragedy. I grieve along with the entire Tennessee Valley and send much warmth and prayers to his family.

To the family of Dr. Pancake, We are so deeply sorry to hear about your loss. We support you and know that his memory will live on in the lives of not only his family, but the many people he's helped over the years. We love you and pray that God be with you in this time of loss. Hannah, Jason, and Melonely Powell

I will always be grateful for knowing Dr. Pancake. I had not seen him for many years but knew him well when he had his practice at Northpark. His office was cheerful and comforting. much like him. I hope he knows he was a very special man and father. Before all else he is a child of God and he will be comforted in Gods arms now, I hope his family will remember the vital, strong, loving husband , father, brother , son etc.... Although he was a great doctor, that is what he did,not who he was. May all keep this in mind when they think to gossip and speculate about his death. I hope he has found peace and wish peace for his family and friends. With deepest respect in your time of great sorrow, TG

DR. Pancake was a wonderful man. When my autistic son had his tonsils out he was so kind to him. All the bashing, he did this, or was accussed of that needs to stop. Right now the family needs support and love. He was a wonderful man and everybody makes mistakes. We are only human. My thoughts and my heart goes out to the family right now. I hope you can find peace and serenity in your time of sorrow. He may not be here physically but in your hearts you have your memories that will be with you forever...

Our Heart and Prayers go out to Dr. Pancake's family. We cannot imagine what you must be going through. We joined the Athletic Club last year after our daughter was born to get in shape. Dr. Pancake introduced himself to both my husband and I. He was such a warm and outgoing person to us everytime we came in the center. He didn't have to speak to us but we always felt like a part of his family. We were truly blessed to know him. We are so sorry , for this is such a great loss indeed.
Sincerely,
Mike and Stefanie Gentry

Debbie and Family
My heart is full of sorrow and my thoughts are with each of you.

Fran Clinton

I had the pleasure to meet hima few times and he was a very nice man. My heart goes out to his wife and daughters. I cannot express how truly sorry that I am for your loss. At times like this words are just words. But everyone means every great word they say about Dr. Pancake. He will be missed in the community, Im sure, but he will LIVE forever in the heart.

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.

With Respect

Paula

My family and I would just like to say thank you to many of the people of Chattanooga. We have received so much support in this tragic chapter of our lives,and we are so grateful.

My father was a great man and was the most generous person I've ever known. I know that these stories and words of encouragement remembering his kindness, generosity, and compassion for others not only are incredibly meaningful to me and my family, but would mean the world to my Dad. We will all miss him.
His memorial service will be at First Presbyterian Church tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon, and it is open to all who knew and loved him.
Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers, and may God Bless all of you too,
Blaire Pancake and the Pancake Family

I have gotten to know Dr. Pancake and the rest of the crew over at the Phoenix Center and Athletic Club. It's like a small, tight-knit family where everyone knows eachother and seems to generally care for one another. Bruce was an integral part of that.

I know the Pancake family must be positively devastated. I am sorry for your loss, Bruce was a good friend, fine physician and most importantly a good person. I am so, so sorry for your loss. This is all very sad indeed.

My heart goes out to the family and staff of Dr. Pancake. I pray that you will find strength in your faith. I met Dr. Pancake for the first time this summer and he made me feel as if we had known each other for years. I don't know that I've ever met a physician with more personality and genuine friendliness. Each time I saw him, he mentioned his family, especially his daughters. Girls, just know he loved you very much and told everyone about you. May God comfort you and hold you up during this time of grief and loss.

to the Pancake family--

I cannot imagine what you must be going through, but I will keep you all in my prayers.

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

My heart goes out to Dr. Pancake's family and friends. I had the pleasure of meeting him 15 years ago when he performed my surgery. I can't imagine going to any other doctor for the procedure. He was wonderful. This is a great loss. May God bless.

(I hope there is a way for Dr. Pancake's family or friends to read this, as this is one of the most heartwarming things anyone has ever done for us, and it was all thanks to Dr. Pancake.)

My family and had the priveledge of getting to know Doctor Pancake when we went to him 8 years ago to treat our son's recurring throat infections. My son was small at the time, and had been plagued with everything that "came down the pike" with regard to his poor little throat. We couldn't seem to find any answers and get him well.

Then we met Dr. Pancake, and he was a GODSEND.

He not only began treatment, but he also educated us about the throat, infections and their causes, and educated us about our choices for treatments and meds.

We had NEVER had a doctor who was so attentive and took the time to listen to us. My son ultimately had to have his tonsils out. Dr. Pancake came to my son's bedside before the surgery to talk to him (my son was barely 4 at the time) My son had a favorite book he wanted to take in with him,(my son carried this book, "The very quiet Cricket" EVERYWHERE with him at the time) and just before they came to take him to surgery, he handed Dr. Pancake his little book and asked him to please read it to him. And he did.

Dr. Pancake walked down the hall next to my son's stretcher, reading to him from his favorite book until he got sleepy, and handed it back to us at the operating room door, reassuring us that everything would be great and that he would take good care of our baby. And he kept his promise.

Dr. Pancake had only 1 surgery that day, my son's. When they brought our son to recovery, Dr. Pancake sat with him until he woke up, and personally came to let us know he was awake. My son has never forgotten that kindness, even now at 12 years old. He still remembers Dr. Pancake reading to him from his favorite book.

We just want his family to know this, and I am sure there are many more stories of his kindness out there. You were blessed with such a decent human being, dad, husband, friend. God's comfort be with you all now, surround you like a warm blanket, comfort and keep you. We are praying for you. Our love, the Smith family from Harrison

My heart goes out to the entire family and I am sorry for your tremendous loss. To the media though - While Dr. Pancake is the father of a beauty queen and a possible future pro golfer, he also left behind 2 additional daughters and a wife.

Blarie and Family my prayers are with you in this time of grief. Please take your comfort in God now. All me love. Anda Hitt/Gingerbread Productions of America

To the family, colleagues, and many loved ones of Dr. Pankcake: I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Pancake, but I wish I that I had had that honor. His life is one that will be remembered by many for years and years to come. My heart goes out to each of you and I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for this great loss. Sincerely, Marie