Does the desire to drink ever leave you?
Yes it does, for me it came as I worked the steps, everyone is different though, it says in the BB that for some it comes quickly and for others slowly, but it will always come if we work for it.
For some the desire to drink simply dissappears with time, I am one of the alcoholics described in the BB, the longer I went without a drink the more I wanted one even though I was going to at least a meeting every day for months, it took working the steps with a sponsor for me.
In regards to your dad still going to meetings every day after 25 years sober.... well one day (sooner the better imho) you should ask him. I do not go to meetings every day any more, I have a family that I owe a lot of sober time to, but I will always go to meetings not only for myself, but to offer my experience, strength, and hope to others.
Kind of neat that you and SugeRspun are so close together. Keep in touch and let us know how things go.