In "The Diary of a Young Girl," Mr. Dussel was a dentist who shared the secret annex with Anne Frank and her family. As the war continued, the living conditions in the annex became more challenging, and tensions among the inhabitants grew. Mr. Dussel's health began to decline, and he became increasingly ill. On March 16, 1945, just a few weeks before the liberation of the Netherlands, Mr. Dussel died of apparent natural causes.
In her diary entry on March 16, 1945, Anne Frank wrote about Mr. Dussel's death, stating, "Mr. Dussel died at six o'clock this morning, but he wasn't Mr. Dussel any more. I remembered how he'd always been. He was Mr. Dussel still when he was sleeping in his bed or talking or sitting at the table, but as soon as he was dead, he wasn't Mr. Dussel anymore. He lay there with his mouth open and his eyes half shut, but he wasn't Mr. Dussel. I wished for everyone's sake he'd been able to stay Mr. Dussel a little longer."
Mr. Dussel's death had a profound impact on Anne and the others in the secret annex. It served as a stark reminder of the dangers they faced and the fragility of life during wartime. His passing also marked a turning point for Anne, who began to reflect on the importance of living in the present and cherishing the moments she had with those she loved. In many ways, Mr. Dussel's death was a catalyst for Anne's personal growth and development, and his memory stayed with her long after the war ended.