Written by Update: CLICK HERE to read Marlene Sweet's thank you letter to the fans.
Roger Sweet is one of the legendary creators behind the vintage “Masters of the Universe” brand.
Most notable for coming up with the name “He-Man” among many other great contributions, Roger Sweet’s wife Marlene Sweet has started a GoFundMe campaign for her husband. We will let her explain why:
My husband, Roger Sweet, is the creator of HE-MAN and MASTERS of the UNIVERSE. He was a toy designer at Mattel for over 15 years. Roger designed and named the original He-Man character, and worked for years with other designers to create all the other characters and playsets that enthralled kids for so many years - and still do today!
Over the years Roger was invited to and attended multiple COMICON conventions. He always loved talking about HE-MAN and MASTERS with all the fans! I was able to accompany him to several, and it was fun to see him interacting with HE-MAN fans.
We have been married for nearly 40 years. When we got married, the designers in the HE-MAN group "built" us a plaster wedding cake, with "HE-MAN TAKES MARLENE FOR HIS BRIDE" written on the side, and HE-MAN dressed for a wedding (with his bride holding all the weapons) for the cake topper! Very clever guys!!!
Roger is now nearly 91 years old and sadly has dementia. His illness has continued to progress, and I have done all I can to take care of his needs at home. He recently went for a walk and returned much later than usual and very tired. I discovered terrible bruising on his side and much disorientation, and when asked what happened he did not recall falling and getting this injury. The doctor sent him to the ER, and after 4 hours of tests they discovered he had two brain bleeds along with the massive bruising on his side. He was admitted to the ICU where he stayed for 3 days, then 4 more days in the main hospital, sleeping most of the time and continuing to be very disoriented, along with refusing to stay put and trying to go walking about. The doctors consider him a high risk for falls and say he must use a walker, considering the dementia and brain bleeds, but he says he does not need it and continues to walk around in his confused state.
They decided he must live in a Memory care facility, where he can be monitored and safe. He is now at our chosen care facility and is settling in. He has only been there a few days and his mental decline is sadly continuing. It is devastating to see this happening. Unfortunately these care facilities are not covered by Medicare, and the cost for a patient in his condition is $10,200 a month, well above our monthly income.
So I am reaching out to all the HE-MAN fans for help with these bills. Any donation will be greatly appreciated and will ease the burden of this new expense.
So if you are in a comfortable financial situation and would like to help the Sweet family, please go to Marlene’s GoFundMe page HERE to see how. (No affiliation).
The Sweet family are in our thoughts.
Damn, I wish I could help.
This is very upsetting. I can’t believe the bills are that high!
Sad. Some like to belittle his involvement but Roger Sweet was instrumental to He-Man.
@longtooth I know the some you speak of. The Mark Taylor did everything some.
@caliban Precisely. I give Mark Taylor the majority of credit but there are a few boys that deserve their day in the sun. One of those boys is Sweet.
That’s so sad. It is so difficult to find care that doesn’t kill you financially, no matter where you live. Dementia is awful, too, including for the loved ones. Being in a new surrounding can accelerate it, too, but obviously there is no alternative.
I hope this reaches a lot of people. If we share it on all the MOTU channels and socials, I hope Roger can be taken care of in dignity and safety.
This is dreadful news. It sounds like he won’t be with us much longer.
What is wrong with this country. No 91 year old should have to pay $10,200 a month to get proper care.
What happens if they can’t pay it?
@durendal Depending on the facility, they will “work" with the family to secure a loan to cover the costs – typically at an exorbitant rate… almost like a car dealership. After that, the co-signers (usually family / next of kin) will be responsible for the loan.
My wife’s grandmother needed to be moved to assisted living when she turned 92. Her monthly bill was $16,025. Sickening.
RE: Roger…
My grandfather suffered from dementia and then full-blown Alzheimer’s. It was incredibly difficult to witness (on both an emotional and psychological level.) My blessings go to the Sweet family.
He gave us a gift that keeps on giving. Donate if you can.
It’s good to see that the Mattel Foundation just donated. I will donate too.