Les Munro (right) attends a "Dambusters" reunion in London in this file photo. [Photo/IC]

He married Betty Hill in 1948.

They farmed cattle and sheep on the central North Island, and Munro later became involved in local politics, becoming mayor of the Waitomo District Council. He retired to the coastal community of Tauranga.

"He was always a little embarrassed about the attraction of the Dambusters story," Wheeler said, adding that Munro was nevertheless always willing to talk about it and attend events.

Munro's son Graeme Munro said his father died Tuesday morning after developing a heart ailment over the past week. He said the whole family had a chance to visit with him in his final days.

Les Munro is survived by four children, 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His wife died some years earlier, said Graeme Munro, as did a fifth child, John, also a pilot, who died in a small plane crash.