Hi Tetra,
Seems to me there is some pretty good advice here.Bottom line is you are who you are. If that is an introvert, so be it. Your father seems to be very well thought of in your town and I am sure you are very proud of that, but he knows you and understands your feelings. You are shy and keep to yourself, nothing wrong with that.
At 32 you are not going to become the life of the party. As long as you are polite probably a simple, " Thank you, I'm very proud of my dad", or "Thanks, he is a great guy, wish I were as outgoing as my Dad, should suffice.
Let's face it your Dad is a star in town and you are going to run into that wherever you go apparently--be proud they are all good things being said, and he is so well respected. For your Fathers sake all you have to be is polite.
Only My Opinion!
Trix