MERRIMACK – State Rep. Richard “Dick” Hinch, a Merrimack resident who a week ago was elected House Republican Leader, died Wednesday afternoon, according to sources.

Hinch, 71, an insurance broker, was in his sixth term as a state representative from Merrimack. He was also a member of the House Rules committee.

He was long involved in town politics, serving on the Merrimack Town Council for a number of years, including four years as chairman.

A Merrimack ambulance was called to 14 Ichabod Drive, which is Hinch’s address, around 3 p.m. today for a report of an unresponsive male, but additional details as to the cause or manner of Hinch’s death weren’t immediately available.

His service in local civic affairs included serving as a director of the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce, and membership in the Merrimack Rotary and Lions clubs.

–DEAN SHALHOUP