Sen. Ted Kennedy’s funeral provided a close-up of Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, revealing the vulnerability and the passion, the shortcomings and the promise of the only elected official remaining in this generation of Kennedys.

The vulnerability was clear as he recalled his childhood asthma attacks and the throbbing headaches produced by asthma medication. His father “was always holding a cold, wet towel on my forehead until I fell asleep again,” he said. “I couldn’t have seen it at the time, but having asthma was like hitting the jackpot for a child who craved his father’s love and attention.”

The passion was clear as he talked about how he and his father sponsored the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. “This bill represented not only a legal victory for 54 million Americans with mental illness who are being denied equal health insurance, but as one of those 54 million Americans, I felt he was also fighting for me to help ease the burden of stigma and shame that accompanies treatment,” he said.

The shortcomings were clear when he said his father concluded stump speeches during the 1980 presidential campaign by quoting from Robert Frost: “The woods are lovely dark and deep. But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep.” Patrick Kennedy referred to the poem as “The Road Less Traveled,” but it’s actually “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.”

The promise was clear as he offered a heartfelt eulogy blending sorrow and humor. He recalled that when “the far right” made Ted Kennedy the “poster child for their attack ads,” his father used to say, “We Kennedys sure bring out the best in people.”

Darrell M. West, the former Brown University professor who wrote the 2001 book Patrick Kennedy: The Rise to Power described the eulogy as “very good,” saying, “People saw a more human side of him that was very endearing.”

Thomas J. Whalen, a Boston University professor who wrote the 2007 book A Higher Purpose: Profiles in Presidential Courage, was less impressed, saying Kennedy “doesn’t have the oratorical gifts that his famous family is known for.”

West, now at the Brookings Institution, described Kennedy as “the political standard-bearer for his generation,” noting other Kennedys are no longer in office. He said, “Patrick has high emotional intelligence. He understands how organizations function. He knows how to produce political change. So he has good potential for leadership.” He noted that 94 percent of House incumbents win reelection and that Kennedy has cruised to victory while facing a “variety of personal issues.” So, he said, “The seat is his as long as he wants it.”

Whalen isn’t so sure. He said former President George W. Bush’s tenure was so “disastrous” that it made people question the value of simply having a famous last name, and he said, “Family political dynasties are, frankly, anti-democratic.” He doubts any members of this generation of Kennedys will pick up the torch carried by JFK, RFK and Teddy. He said, “I think the hope of that generation was JFK Jr.,” who died in a 1999 plane crash.

But West said Kennedys are making their mark through nonprofits, focusing on the environment, the arts and other causes. He said, “I think the torch is being carried in a lot of different directions.”

In 1961, heavy snow fell the night before JFK, in his inaugural address, evoked the image of a torch being passed, and while 48 years have passed, miles remain before we’ll know how far this generation of Kennedys carries that torch.

efitzpat@projo.com