Most likely, Alice, you have considered using a tape-recorder or filming/videoing your father or the two of you in conversation. If audio taped you can transcribe the tape and type it up as a memoir.
With a video you can also transcribe the words so you can have both a visual/audio and something that can be read.
I have interview many elder people with a hand held mic and they generally get used to it and are not self-conscious. A lot depends on how comfortable you are. If you are relaxed, smiling and engaging in your questions you can get some amazing stories. This is your dad, so hopefully he's really comfortable around you and it just becomes a fun and uplifting time together.
Here's another idea...NPR has something called Story Core ( I think that's the name) where they, at one time--maybe even currently, have had places set up around the country in librarys and community center, etc. where people could come, sit down, pick up a mic and tell their story, which then goes into the archives of all the other real life stories by real people telling their own stories. Some of these are aired over the radio, but I'm sure you can go online and find the archives where you can listen to various stories. I present this in case you are having a hard time getting started--maybe the both of you could listen to some of these together....or better yet find out where there is a Story Core booth near you.
I see you posted this a couple of months ago,so you may be well on your way by now...good luck, have fun and I hope this has helped.
Wynne