Going into my 14th year working as a motorsports journalist, I've met a lot of people in sports journalism.

Some (too many IMO) would rather be doing something else.

Some excel because they are right where they want to be.

A rare few not only love what they do, they are innovators. Doing things the same way day after day is boring, so they find new ways to do it.
They want those working with/for them to share the same passion for what they do that they have. They want the people who are reading their work to develop a passion for the sports they cover, and that can be a very difficult thing to do. It appears all of these things are who your dad was, and what he did.

...only seven years older than I am....he died too young.

Be very proud of him, and hold your memories dear forever.

God bless the McKenzie family.

Bob