Almost two years after his father committed suicide, the loss feels immediate to William Roth.

“;It still hurts,”; said Roth, 24, at a news conference yesterday.

Family members of retired Master Sgt. Robert C. Roth, a 20-year veteran of the Air Force, spoke yesterday on how they hope Tripler Army Medical Center will provide adequate care for suicidal patients.

“;I hope now they realize that depression actually is a big problem,”; said Roth's only son.

The federal government recently reached an $800,000 settlement with Roth's family members after they alleged hospital staff failed to properly treat him. Attorney Rick Fried, who is representing the family, said Roth's suicide was avoidable and that the hospital had multiple chances to intervene.

Procedures have since been implemented at the hospital on how to treat suicidal patients who seek help in the emergency room.

In a written statement yesterday, Brig. Gen. Steve Jones, who commands Tripler, said, “;Our thoughts and sympathy go out to the Roth family. Our command and well-trained staff are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure an incident similar to this never happens again.”;

Still wearing her wedding ring, Roth's widow, Satsuki Roth, 48, said, “;I hope they're going to change. I believe my husband, Robert, he hope they change. He's hoping from heaven.”;

She recalled that many people, including those suffering from depression, waited long hours in the emergency room when she accompanied her husband to the hospital. “;I just couldn't believe it,”; Satsuki said.

Roth, 50, had a history of bipolar disorder. He sought to be admitted twice at Tripler in December 2006 when he suffered from severe depression during the holiday season and warned doctors that he wanted to jump from the top of the hospital or off the Makapuu cliffs, Fried said.

On Dec. 16, Roth packed a bag and went to the hospital, where he waited for five hours before seeing a doctor, Fried said. An assistant psychiatrist reported that he appeared to be OK and released him, Fried said.

Ten days later, Roth returned to the hospital, where he waited for three hours before he left, Fried said, adding that as Roth drove off, staff members attempted to stop him in the parking lot but were unsuccessful. Fried said Roth was told several times by staff to wait because “;we have more seriously ill people here than you.”;

The following day, his psychiatrist changed Roth's medication but it wasn't effective, Fried said.

On Jan. 2, Roth had an appointment with his psychiatrist, but the clinic was closed in observance of former President Gerald Ford's death. Frustrated, Roth entered the building and jumped off the 10th floor, Fried said.

He worked as a civilian clerk in the hospital's telemetry unit. Fried said Tripler did not have any standard operating procedures in place on how to handle suicidal patients at the time of Roth's suicide.

Roth was hospitalized years earlier for depression relating to his bipolar disorder. In September 1999, Roth spent three days at Tripler. Six years earlier, Roth was treated for a few days at the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital in Montana.

Roth's son said his father had a great sense of humor and enjoyed bodyboarding and snorkeling. During his bouts of depression, Roth was withdrawn and spoke very little. He would sleep all day, his son said.