An astounding number of tragedies had confronted the late Sen. Edward (“Ted”) Kennedy in his 77 years. All three older brothers, for instance, had been killed. That they had been killed while serving our country couldn’t have made it easier, but it seems to have strengthened his resolve also so to serve. The greatest tragedy in his life, however, is what he did to himself. If Ted Kennedy had accepted responsibility for Chappaquiddick, he might well have recovered and gone on to the White House. But he did not accept responsibility, and he did not reach the White House.

Kennedy’s supporters — and he himself — thought that however much he accomplished as a senator in a record 46 years, it was these very strengths and passions that would have made a great president. He very much wanted to be president and tried until he became overwhelmed by the long, haunting shadow of Chappaquiddick.

Every time the senator asked us to believe what he said or trust what he did, Chappaquiddick rushed to minds. Except that obituaries are dictated by families (and his was a grand master at cover-ups), one might expect it to read, “He was preceded in death by his friend, Mary Jo Kopechne.” His most uncritical supporters and promoters, and their name is legion, thought immediately of Chappaquiddick every time a major political move or maneuver was contemplated. This effectively ended any chance at the White House.

Yet, Kennedy was a marvelous survivor. Womanizing, intoxications, and even Chappaquiddick were conveniently, even if nervously, set aside in almost everything but his bid for the presidency.

Even within the Chappaquiddick tragedy that ended a young woman’s life and stymied his political career, his greatest offenses were in the many things he failed to do that he could and should have done. Whatever he was doing alone with this woman, whatever his level of intoxication, and however reckless his driving, he did not need to let her die. He refused to take necessary action, and he refused to accept responsibility for what he did and what he failed to do.

What a shame. If, even after this monstrous sequence of misbehavior and failures, he had owned up to what he did and did not do, I have to believe his future would have been substantially different. If he had accepted the consequences of his crimes and paid their penalty (even prison), I believe the American public would have forgiven him.

They would not forget Chappaquiddick, because they could not, but it would have had a different meaning. Voters knew what he did and they still voted for him. So, he would not have lost these votes, but could have gained more by respect for a little honest self-responsibility.

This would have been especially so if he demonstrated changed behavior and attitude. As it was, his getting way with Chappaquiddick seems to have let him believe he was immune to the consequences paid by ordinary people from ordinary families and he continued on his self-destructive ways.

More serious than the cost he paid, he disappoints by the negative impact on others. He could have set an example of courage and honesty that could have shown thousands of American young people how to recover from stupid mistakes and even culpable offences. But he did not.

Kennedy’s public service offers many positive, instructive and constructive examples to emulate. His behavior does not. I urged young people to study his life and career as subjects worthy of their study. I hope by now that Chappaquiddick is a negative lesson and we learn from even it.