I'm sorry he won't be there. I do understand your disappointment. With my first my parents were there from the moment my water broke (it broke at their house) till the moment he was born! IDK what I would do without them. My parents (both of them) were there with our second also. They brought our son in before my procedure and stayed a few hours after I was out of recovery to see the new baby. This one they will be doing the same.
They will have both our kids this time and will be there before the procedure (I told them to wait at the hotel and let the kids wake up and eat, but they insisted on being there before and after I get out of surgery). We are a VERY close knit family. We will have cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and great-grandparents there to see her for the first time. I love it that way.
But, if you are really wanting him there then I would voice your concern before your c/s. I really do understand your disappointment, my MIL wasn't there for our first to be born, and I felt like she didn't want to be there for her son and her grandchild. BUT, my husband has an AMAZING support system from my side of the family!
After you voice your concern to your dad, if he doesn't want to be there still, then I would just concentrate on the positive of all of your other family being there. That day will so crazy, and you will be in such awe of your baby that your dad not being there, might be the furthest thing from your mind, especially when all your other family is there beaming and awing over your new LO.
I hope your dad changes his mind and you get the birth experience you've always wanted.